IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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"■     ^'•l     III  2.0 


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1.25      1.4 

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Photograpiiic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y    14580 

(7^6)  872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  canadien  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


L'Institut  a  m^crofilmd  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m6thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


D 


D 


D 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul^e 


□    Cover  title  missing/ 
Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 


Colour*  i    ik  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  c      ouleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      j    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Rsli6  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
H  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 


n 

D 

0 

D 
0 
D 
D 
D 
D 


Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellicul6es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachet6es  ou  piqudes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tach6es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  indgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6X6  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  fapon  6 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires; 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


tails 
(  du 
odifier 
une 
mage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  filmd  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
g6n6rositd  de: 

Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6X6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet^  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  Hont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim^e  sont  film6s  en  commenp ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commen9ant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  •»^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — »-  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  film6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nr  nbre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagram  nes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


trrata 
to 


pelure, 
n  6 


□ 


32X 


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2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

( 


/: 


I' 


ROOM  10A 
SHELF 


/'// 


c 


^t-^-v 


^.        3iZ 


(Issued    March   lOtli.   1876. 


PROSPECTUS 


The  Commercial  Agency  System  of  the  United  States 

and  Canada  Exposed. 

Is  the  SECRET  INaUISITION  a  CUESE  or  a  BENEFIT? 


n.v    rrioM.vs  ku.v.vcis  Mi^'.Affiiiou. 


A  Partiiil  epitome  of  the  special  and  wholly  novel  infoiinntion  couveycd  by  this 
Volnnio  will  show  its  great  value  to  Merehivnts  iind  Traders,  who  have  so  1<>U|^  and  so 
fruitlessly  l)orne  the  Ageney  tax  and  sutlered  from  the  Agency  System's  mis-reports, 
maHce,  and  misrepresentation. 

The  following  Skxsible  Reasons  will  convince  all  business  men  why  the  Work 
slioulil  lie  read  by  them  and  cireuhited  for  their  own  protection. 

I.  Ir  SHOWS  how  pretended  Agency  information  is  coUecteil.- -How  unblemished 
Chamctor  may  be  smirched  and  abundant  Capital  depreciated  by  Volunteer  Masked 
Correspouilents,  Shysti;r  unpaid  Ijawyers,  and  wortbless,  malicious,  and  jealous  Itival 
Traders.  The  Grand  Iiuiuisition  of  th(^  Churches— The  etl'ect  of  lleligious  bigotry 
and  I'oHtical  bias.     Instances.     I'agcs  13,  24,  2').  41,  (\2,  71,  7'2,  106. 

11  Ir  SHOWS  how  •'  Uatings"  are  made  up  ami  '•  Doi'tored  "—How  Agency  Mana- 
gers •' l)orrow  "  from  Merchants  How  Misdemeanant  clerks  pass  from  Jails  to  tlie 
Counter  How  Crt'ditmeu  live  like  Secri'laries  of  War  on  ostensible  salaries  of  $1,5 
per  week.     Pages  38,  3'J,   Id,  411,  44,  4.">,  .".;1,  IXi. 

III.   It  SHOWS  how  ■•  Bogus"  Capitalists  are  created  and  bolstered   up — How  real 
ones  refusing  to  IJribe  are  run  down     How  suits  for  Libel  are  terminatecl.     Figures 
and  Facts,  cirenastantially  stated,  with  Names  and  Dates.     It  also  slu)ws  the  Danger 
of  imparting  any  Information  to  agencies,  or  entering  into  the  League.     Pages  31),  47 
4!),  .")!,  r>2,  t)-2,  «3,  (i6,  67,  104,  llo,  IM,  165. 


IV.  It  shows  liow  SubHcrihors  iiro  syKtotnnticivlly  bctrnvfcl  in  thiir  Ciistdiiurs;  liow 
thoir  InquirioB  i\re  dinclosi'd  to  cdiiiiifliii)^  'rrmlcrs  ;  Imw  Siil)sciilit'rsiir(:  oiieiily  Iluted 
luul  priviitely  TrfKluccd;  I'ow  Faiiiil.y  ScimdulH  uro  iiiixdt;  unTcluuidiKt'  o)';  how  Criini's 
arciinpiiti'd  iiml  Iiiitnorilitics  iisscrtod  mid  sprcail  on  rocord  to  '.Tutify  MalipoorsiTvi' 
u  JliisincHs  purpose.  Mow  to  Rcforiii  tlio  "Systi.in '' without  .VboIiHliin;,' it.  I'li^jfs 
18,  71,  72,  !)M,  99,  lOO. 

y.  It  shows  !iow  Friiiidiili'Ht  ('(iiitr:ii'ts  arc  iiiadi'  wirli  Siihs(iil)c'rs ;  how  Liability 
lor  Kals(!  Iiifnriiiation  is  soiif^ht  to  hcsMT'//// i,'uardf'd  ni^'aiiisl  ;  How  .Si cn't  ("iri'iilars 
an;  issiKul  privately  to  A'^'iMiry  Maiia'^crs,  ti'acliiiiL;  l.h''iii  to  iJci'i'ivc  SubsorilnTs ;  how 
Siibsi-rilii'rs  may  recover  direct  from  .\;4eiicics,  for  Losses  and  Hud  Faith.  .V  Test  Case 
is  f,'iveii  eoiitaiuiiJ^' :  -I'A'ideiiee  ot  Witnesses  :  Art^nnniits  of  Counsel  ;  Cliar^,'e  ot'  thi' 
•hidfie  and  Verdift  of  tlie  Jury — an<l  CJoniinents  of  (he  I'ress,  D<'e.  K,  ISTo.  I'a^es 
,")(;,  ,-)8,  r,'.i,  (id,  i-jl.  no,  \r,:i,  i.-,,-,,  i.-.i;. 

VT.  It  show.s  liow  the  Le-^'islatiiresof  the  f)it1erent  States  and  Dominion  Parliament 
have  Iteon  prevented  from  jjassim^'  Laws  to  suppress  the  systems  of  Espionaf^o  and 
Detraction;  Money  for  the  Mlaek  llorsa  Cavalry  of  Li'i,'islation.  It  also  shows  (he 
dauLter  of  patronizin;;  tlie  Collection  Ihireati  of  ,V'j;eneies.     l'af,''"<  '^".  '^'>  ^-'  ^-^i  '^•^i  l'"''*- 

VII.  !r  SHOWS  The '•  Seer<'t  Hlaek  Ijists  "  containing'  the  initials  ot  ten  thousand 
mereliants'  names  well  llateil  in  the  Itefereneo  IJooks,  and  Di'fjraded  in  tln^  Secret 
Reports;  of  other  thousands  deserving  hi'_!h  l!alin'_'s.  anil  Pepreciated  to  Zero,  Pri- 
vate character  as  a  Sinv.k  in  Trade.  How  tlie  Trallic  miy  bi'  prevented.  .\  permanent 
Ueinedy  .md  costless  D.-fense.      Pa'.,'es  107.  PJ'.t,  1(12,  l(;il,  lf.7,  Ki'.),  170,  171. 

VIII.  —It  shmws  how  Trade  Pnnies  are  brouj,dit  about  ;  how  the  A^jeneies  are  the 
princiiial  Disturbers  and  Falsifiers  ;  how  hundreds  of  thousands  have  been  lost  by  a 
lew  False  Words — Facts.  How  Settled  ( 'omnieree  or  Safe  Trading'  is  impossibl(>  where 
the  system  exists  without  Le^'al  Itestraint  ;  How  leadiu),'  Merchants  and  liankers 
denounci'  the  "system."     Pa.!«s  .",1,  r,2,  !tl,  '.12,  '.tl,  '.t."),  Ki.S,  ICl,  Km. 


/_  a^>  ^  ,    /OZ^^^^c  \>>  ^X_.#«-^,»  n  Ly  ^ ,       vS  •^  b 


l^UJJLTC   optNio:s 


YeRDICT  of  the  PrE33  OJS  the  i^OOK. 


(A.     F"  ID  'W      E  :5^T:FL  A.OTS.) 


'•Tlic  liook  is  l)i;;iiitifiill.v  l)Muiiil  ami  priiitoil.  Tii  ciiiiiiiicrciiil  iiii'ii  it.  U  iiiii">rl;iiil  iiml  in- 
IcrcHliiitf."— /7»'  liriti.tli.  Wliiij,  Kiiiiislon,  I'liiiiulii,  Tol).  ^4111,  Is'ii, 

Mr.  Mcut'licr  wrilo^  us  if  fully  In  iMrni'st,  iiml  jjivt's  iiaiueH,  date-)  ami  diMalls  in  snp|M>rt  of 
Ills  iisscrljoii-^.  His  hook  Is  oik;  wjiicli  is  liouiul  to  (Teate  a  ^tl•oat  sonsatlon  In  I'Verv  imsiniMs 
center  In  llic  coniitrv.  ;is  every  Mefcliunt.  .Maniir;ietnrer  ami  frader  is  deeply  intcreslnij  In  the 
sniiiect  of  wlliell  lie  treats. — /Vie  riltslinfijli,  Coiiiiaeri-iiil,  Kidi.  '^4111,  IsTii, 

lis  taiile  of  c<inti'nt.s  Is  very  interextlnsr,  espeeially  so  its  expimp  of  t.lie  Secret  Blnok  l.lstH  of 
tlie  SysioMi.  We  have  no  cionlit  the  Work  'vill  he  niiicli  sonjrht  after  by  Merolnints  and  all  othorH 
enira«e(l  in  business.— r/n'  Xor/ollc  yinjiiiiiin,  I'eh.  J.MIi,  ls;ii. 

"We  oainioi  ic(.'on(:ilo  oiirselvi's  to  the  opinion  Mr.r  sneh  a  treaehoi-oMs  systmn  of  ehariii'ter- 
killlnir  Is  In  keepini;  with  niereanlile  prohity  (\r  ord  nary  deeeiiey.  I'orsons  desirons  of  llndlnir 
urtfunnMits  airainsl  the  exisic'neo  of  attenelos  will  llnd  the  c.isc  slronjily  i)nl  in  Mr.  Meujrln  I's 
l>(>ok."— '/"//I'  Mdil,  Toronto.  Kelt,  iuli,  IsTu. 

The  exposition  i-i  :i  tlioronirli  and  r~eeiiis  to  he  an  hoin'st  one.  There  Is  little  donhr,  we  pro- 
snnie,  hul  that  the  ^Ij'  ini-nts  inadt;  are  correct :  indoeil,  they  are  hackecl  np  hy  citations  of 
facts  ami  lli^nres  ihatcnnm.i  he  ri'^isted.— Kcc/im/;/  rriins'n'iii,  lloston,  I'eh.  j.dli,  IsTH. 

Never  was  the  word  ■  I'.xposed  "  in  its  ailverso  sense  nseil  with  more  ii|i|)osil<Miess  tliiin  in 
reference  to  the  recc.'js  ami  rovalations  therein  irlven.  We  qnestion  if,  after  the  exposure  and 
the  Inipiiry  that  must  necessarily  he  (he  result,  tin'se  secret  bureaus  for  the  hnlldini;  np  or  nil- 
derininiliu  of  trade  coin'enis  can  tie  I'lTinltled  withonl  leulslative  restrictions  |o  pursue  their 
career  of  oiitrajrc.—7V(^' .S''(/(,  Montrciil,  Teb.  i'ltli,  ISTii. 

There  Is  no  donht  wluitcM'r  that  the  nhle,  exhaustive  and  triuidiant  dcscrlptimi  of  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  so-called  <'oiumercial  Au;eiwifs  (if  the  rniled  states  imd  Canada,  ;ire  hemi; 
curried  on,  will  meet  with  numerous  |-eaders.  The  iiuthor"s  assertions  are  hiicke.l  hy  hun- 
dreds of  relliihle  anl'iorilles,  and  cases  are  i|Uole(l  |u  laru'O  numhers  wln're  the  creilll  ;md  stand- 
insf  of  Merchants  have  been  either  ijrnoranlly  or  oltiMi  williimly  iiuiiaired  hy  the  nninfonued,  or 
unscrnpulons.  .scores  of  examples  chosen  from  every  illy  of  jm|iortiim'e  in  Xorlh  America  are 
ttiven.  The  whole  style  of  the  volume  Is  superior  and  I  he  arirunients  and  reasonlnjrs  seem  to  be 
fair  and  nnpreincti \.—  7lii'  Mnriihi']  Cliroiiirli'.  ({iiebee,  I'et).  -Jiltli,  Isti!. 

The  work  elves  much  Information  that  Is  luterestinu,  iiiid  Is  calciilattd  lo  ireate  :i  slir  iinioiiK 

everybmly  who  is  lulercsled  iliro<'l!y  or  indirectly  in  the  system  which  the  I k  denounces.^ 

h'i'ciiiiiq  Vilr'iriiin,  N'ew  Vork,  I'eh.  jr.th,  IsTii. 

We  have  alwiiys  regarded  the  so-called  ('oinniercial  Aneiicy  as'a  stupendous  framl  upon  the 
public  ami  particularly  upon  the  business  conununlty,  and  In  no  wise  reliable.  We  liopi'  the  (ex- 
posure will  put  an  end  to  this  ulirantlc  swindle  and  that  men  will  no  lonirer  be  perplexed  and  an- 
noyed by  such  an  lufiiiuoiis  concern. — Tin'  Xrm  lirimhlif,  Ciimden,  >f.  .1..  I'eh.  jiiiii.  \>'<\. 

This  is  an  alariuiiiir  i  .'■/'".<(' ami  should  (rlanii  the  atleiili(Ui  .if  every  <uie  whose  hu>iue-is  char- 
iicter  and  siiindinir  are  id  the  mercTof  ihese  nirencles.  The  work,  no  doubt,  will  he  much  sonnht 
alter  by  merchiinis  and  oilier  business  men.  —  Tin-  S'nrfitlk  l.'iirtniurK;  I'eh.  I'Ttli,  IsTC. 

The  work  Is  wrillen  in  a  terse  ami  iMUstic  style,  and  will  iiilerest  subscriheis  to  tin.'  iiifeii- 
cies.  —  liiiih/  A'yis,  lirooklyn,  I'eli.  Jstli,  |s7n. 


Cn. 


We  liuvr  known  tlicBo  iiittinclP!*  to  put  men  in  'lie  city  down  ns  liclnir  wortli  J1(ki,(kki,  wlio  iit 
the  time  WL-ri>  imlillcly  known  to  Im'  liiinkni|it,  iiii<l  to  liavu  put  otiirr  men  In  (rood  sinndliiK 
llliiilK'lally  down  km  licInK  ni'  n<i  iicnmnt,  and  it  \n  so  at  \\w  prcsiMit  tlini'.  This  hook,  then, 
which  cxp<><4eM  the  vliluiii.v  oi'  ihest-  Men'untllc  Akrondcs  Is  an  opportuni'  imok  iind  should  lie  put- 
ronl/.ed  liy  ImslncHs  mvw.—lhiily  'Mvgruiih.  DiilniqiH-,  lowu,  I'Vii.  '^intli,  l"'T'i.'' 

'I'hoH.  Knini'ls  Mcavlier  has  written  a  very  alile  liook,  ilarini.'  in  llMassiTllotisalid  reniarkalily 
cxhuiistive  in  Its  re.scarrlii'N  and  lnvi'sti(;alli<n.  The  author  is  milspokeii  and  does  not  lit'silale 
to  attack  \\ltliont  triovcs.  and  the  i)ook  shonid  he  read  i>y  every  Imsiniss  man  In  the  commu- 
Mlly.— />((//(/ /,'r(;ii'/((/  Triiri'lii;  llosloii,  Mar.  'Jd,  IsTii. 

The  Hook  is  a  powerlnl  and  elaiiorate  attack  on  liars,  lilackmallers  and  disseminators  o( 
utterly  unrclialile  Information  at  extortionate  prices,  as  pc^is,  nnisanccsaiid  tcrrorj/cr.s  of  the 
ImslnesH  comiininlty.  it  is  liy  liis  liunrcH  and  not  liy  Ids  <  liarttes,  thai  Mr.  Mcairin'r  makes  the 
ino.st  eirective  attack  on  the  credit  ot  liie  Airencies.  With  such  facts  to  liack  him  it  Is  not  sur- 
prising that  he  should  he  ahle  to  make  a  stroni;  l)ook.  Tlie  hook  is  allo^rcthi  r  one  i  alcidati-d  to 
produce  a  decided  sensation.-  >';"'"'!'."''''  (Mas.i.)  Iinili/  Inhm,  Mar.  -d.  Isth. 

lie  attacks  the  Systt^m  from  every  standing'  poliii  and  in  the  most  M^/orous  and  nnei|nlvocal 
iniinner,  lie  mentions  names  without  Hcrnple  ami  does  not  lu'siiati'  to  make  InsiniiationH 
churning  inlentlomil  framl  and  hrihery.  It  is  claimed  that  the  rating's  are  luaile  Uy  Incompetent 
and  ungcrnpuloiiH  clerks  at  tlie  main  olllce,  and  that  the  standni);  ol  dealers  is  tampered  ^^  llh 
ro)!ar(llcsH  of  conseqiiencen.  lie  (piote.scopionsl.N  Iroiii  the  .Secret  Special  Iteports.  — rncn  Morn- 
inu  UtriiUt,  Mar.  .id,  is7«. 

Tlie  hook  Is  Well  written  nnd  makes  smne  dainaKinir  cliar;,'es  aj:alnHl  the  system  whosi>  utter 
worthle8sness  it  professes  to  expose,  it  certain^  |ire.sents  a  foniiidahle  hill  of  iiidiitmelit 
agalust  tlie  ('oinnierclal  .\«encles.— /Vii'  Chroniflr  uiui  Si-nihwl,  .\ilanta,  tia.,  .Mar.  :;il.  fiTD. 

"This  is  an  inlclll);ent  examination  of  tiie  chilms  ol  the  (^)ommeriial  .Xuency  .System,  and 
our  opinion  of  tlic  work  is  well  expressed  In  the  uuthur's  prel'ai'e."'  (Mere  follows  un  article  too 
long  to  quote).    Vhivugit  Ti)iii:i,  Mar.  4th,  l.sTii. 

The  charges  made  against  these  instituti<ins  are  of  a  very  serious  nature,  ("ertalnly  the 
('i;/>(».''(' seems  to  he  a  i;oinplete  one,  and  will  no  do. iht  occasion  the  Comi»aiiies  at  whom  it  is 
leveled  conshlerahic  dilllcnlty  to  clear  up.— r/ic  C'/ico/t/c/c,  WaHlilngton,  1>.  I'.,  .Mar.  litli,  isTii. 

He  asserts  tiukt  the  .System  Is  had  to  the  core,  and  the  volume  is  full  of  evidence  in  support 
of  tills  allegation.— *')/•/(/»{/  V/imniclr,  Halifax,  N.  .S.  Mar.  1.  ISTO. 

The  book  is  invaluable  to  the  husiness  puhlie  wiiose  creilit  lias  been  an  article  of  traile  and 
barter  with  Commercial  Agencies  for  years  past.— -IcAyi/i.vk.s  tidzitic,  l.lttle  liock,  I'eh.  i'ltli,  ls"U. 

Mr.  Meaglicr  strikes  right  and  left  at  the  .\geiicies,  attacking,  however,  the  system  more 
than  particular  ilrnis  engaged  In  It.  The  great  niimhcr  of  persons  who  depeuil  upon  the  .Agen- 
cies for  Information  will  doubtless  llnd  tills  hook  interesting.— V/ic  Kri'iiiini  .Uail,  New  York. 
March  Hth,  lsT6. 

The  Secret  lilack  Lists  of  the  .System,  are  piihlished  in  part,  exliihiiiug  the  concerns  which 
are  continually  underrated  and  misreported  l)y  the  several  agencies.  Certainly.  Mr.  .Meagher 
makes  out  u  i))'i/ii<t /((fi'c  ca.se,  and  his  cliarges  deserve,  in  all  propriety,  the  attention  and  an- 
swer of  the  system  lie  attacks.— S/in'j/ortcW  (Mass.)  lli'iJiiblUuiii,  March  loth,  ls7i>. 

Thousands  of  commendatory  letters  have  been  received  since  the  puhlicathm  of  the  book, 
from  leading  .Merchants,  and  several  distinguished  Hank  Presidents  and  otiiers  have  verbally 
stated:  "Our  husiness  and  business  likeonis  is  <lealingln  creilit,  and  it  isa  part  of  that  husine.ss 
to  read  everything  ail'ecting  cmniufrcial  litUU  on  a  large  scale,  like  this  hook." 


The  Book  Ih  publisboil  iu  lar^e  oetiivo  form,  emitaius  300  pages,  iiud   beantit'tilly 
Bouud  iu  Cloth.     Price,  $3.00  per  copy,     flailed  to  ivuy  address. 


Merchants'  Credit  P^'otective  Society, 


Post  Office  Box  4309. 


58   Liberty   Street,   New    York. 


C  ^  »^v   ,    /^l^^^-^^^'  U-Z-^-t^f^u  -^,        0*^0 


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THE  COMMERCIAL  AGENCY 
"  SYSTEM "     . 


OK  THE 


tJNITEO    STATES    AND    CANAHA 


EXPOSED.  ^ 

IS  THE  SECRET  INQUISITION  A  CURSE  OR  A  BENEFIT  ? 


THE 


COMMERCIAL  AGENCY 


44 


SYSTEM" 


OP  THE 


UNITED  STATES  AND   CANADA 


EXPOSED. 


IS  THE   SECRET   INQUISITION   A  CURSE  OH  A   HENEFIT  ? 


BY 


TPIOMAS  Y.  MEAGHER. 


"I  love  «kgitation ;  the  lire-bell  whieli  iilarnis  the  iriliabitnnts  of  a  city 
saves  them  from  being  burned  in  their  bctls." — Edmund  BriiKE:. 


NEW-YORIv, 

1876. 


•^""••■■^^•'•I'^WWPnBHIWI 


Eiit.!r(!il,  accordinjf  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1870,  l)y 

THOMAS  F.  MEAyilEH, 
in  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


TO 

(Tljt  ^m^ants,  ^mxktxt,  PairnfatlnrtM,  mh  IrabtM 

OP  THE 

^iiitcb  ^latts  !mb  (Innaba, 

WHOSE    CHAUACTKIIS    AND    COMMEUCIAI-    CREDIT     HAVE    BEEN    80 

LONG   AND  SO   UN8PAU1NGLY   TKAFFICKED  IN,  AND  80  MANT 

OF    WHOM     HAVE    BEEN    FINANCIALLY    CKIPPLED    OU 

nUINBD    BV    THE     SYSTEM     HEREIN     EXPOSED, 

THIS    BOOK, 

WRITTEN    IN    THEIR    INTEREST,    DESIGNED     FOR    THEIR     IN- 
FORMATION, AND  INTENDED  TO  PREVENT  GREATER  IN- 
JURY TO  HONEST  COMMERCE  IN  THE  PUTORE, 
IS    RESPECTFULLY     DEDICATED 

BY  THE  AUTHOR. 


I  ,,>.... 


TO  MY  READERS. 


An  intelligent  examination  of  tl'c  .  laims  of  tho  Commercial  Af^cney 
Bystcni,  now  Hci'kinK  permanent  incorporation  into  tlu;  Inisiness  lift-  of  tlic 
United  HtatoH  and  Canada,  and  refused  liospitality  or  enconraj^enient  evcry- 
wlierc  else,  has  l)een  a  want  lonj,'  felt  l)y  the  business  men  of  both  countries. 
Up  to  the  present  moment,  no  one,  whether  from  hick  of  facilities  or  de- 
ficiency of  information,  or  a  jjrudent  disinclination  to  en<^a<fo  in  a  labor  ho 
certain  to  be  onerous  and  so  sure  to  lie  followed  by  bitter  controversy,  ha» 
seen  fit  to  satisfy  the  jreneral  desire;  and  the  writer,  conse(|uently,  is  noi; 
alone  the  llrst  in  an  untried  field  of  invcstif,'ati<m,  but  lias  had  to  iinderj^o 
the  treble  work  of  exploration,  classification,  and  comnuntury.  As  he  pro- 
gressed, the  dimensions  of  his  Hubject  seemed  to  expand,  and  he  found 
himself  quite  as  much  embarrassed  in  choosing  what  lie  should  ex(;lud(i  us 
in  selecting  what  he  should  publish.  This  difliculty,  inseparable  from  the 
topic,  is  relied  on  to  «'Xplain  and  excuse  any  defects  of  style  or  method. 
For  the  rest,  he  believes  he  has  kept  within  the  limits  of  legitimate  contro- 
versy, and  prevented  his  unpleasant  task  of  exposure  from  taking  the  ob- 
jectionable and  customary  form  of  a  rancorous  criticism  or  a  splenetic  pas- 
quinade. In  essaying  to  set  forth  clearly  the  cardinal  tricks  and  devices  of 
a  scheme  of  business  of  elaborate  pretension  and  ramifuiation,  three  condi- 
tions are  essential  :  practical  kn«)wle(lge,  a  jiainstaking  collation  of  eviden(;c, 
and  a  disposition  to  draw  just  conclusions  from  proved  facts.  The  author 
submits  his  work  with  confidence  as  an  illustration  of  the  first  two.  The 
reader  must  determine  whether  or  not  he  has  kept  witliin  the  s<!ope  of  fair 
discussion  or  sul>stituted  sophistry  for  reasoning.  From  the  men  who  find 
their  profit  in  tlie  Agency  system,  favorable  opinions  are  not  expected.  In- 
deed, their  bitter  o))position  is  desired,  and,  so  far  as  possible,  anticipated. 
The  silversmiths  of  Ephesus  naturally  favored  image-worship;  and  the 
iconoclast  need  not  look  for  reward  or  commendation  from  the  devotcjes 
and  beneficiaries  of  impostun;.  But  just  in  jiroportlon  to  the  violence  and 
unreason  of  deeply  and  selfishly  interested  persons  should  be  tlM;  desire  of 
the  press  and  the  general  public  to  assure  the  Avriter  a  fair  an<l  full  hearing 
on  the  merits. 

The  author  would  be  unjust  to  his  own  feelings  if  he  omitted  to  ac- 
knowledge the  many  kindnesses  of  the  press  and  leading  merchants  when 
the  work  was  first  announcied.  His  hearty  thanks  are  due  to  over  a  hun- 
dred daily  newspapers  published  in  English,  German,  and  French,  and  over 


11 

il 


VIII 


I'KEPACE. 


five  hundred  wccklicH,  literary,  religious,  ond  polemical  —  several  being 
uddressvd,  in  the  vcrnnculur,  to  small  constituencies  of  Welsh,  Bohe- 
mians, Hcandinaviuns,  etc.,  etc.  Their  considi-ratii  and  elaborate  encour- 
agement, following  quickly  and  spontaneously  after  the  publication 
of  our  I'rospectus,  in  atldition  to  private  letters  from  editors,  con- 
vinced us,  more  than  any  thing  else,  that  our  purpose  would  be  fairly 
judged,  and  indiu;ed  us  to  enlarge  our  original  ]>lan  from  a  mere  col- 
lection of  evidences  of  wrong-doing  into  a  ready  handlmok  of  means 
for  reparation.  We  felt  it  was  not  snough  to  put  the  trading  public 
on  itH  guard,  and  that  we  should  go  farther  and  place  it  in  a  position  to 
retrieve  loss  and  assert  the  rights  of  reputation.  Heside  the  facts  given  in 
the  text,  a  first  instalment  of  the  names  of  merchants  depreciated  in  capi- 
tal or  character  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix.  This  list  will  bo  increased 
in  future  editions.  A  complete  one  would  entail  the  publication  of  a  book 
ten  times  the  »'v/.c  of  the  present  one,  and  place  it  at  a  ])ri('e  which  would 
greatly  curtail  the  circulation  (for  the  present,  at  least)  of  the  more  im- 
portant part  of  the  publication.  To  the  trading  public,  more  than  to  ony 
special  eflorts  of  our  own,  the  results  of  the  agitation  inaugurated  heroin 
will  be  mainly  due.  The  individual  merchant  who  discovers  in  the  follow- 
ing pages,  for  the  first  time,  his  best  defence  against  attem])ted  or  successful 
libel,  will  naturally  assist  in  circulating  tho  book  in  self-defence ;  but  it  is 
respectfully  submitted  that  what  would  be  a  wise  self-interest  in  the  instance 
of  such  a  person  is  a  just  precaution  or  a  judicious  preventive  for  every 
one  who  expects  to  lead  a  successful  commercial  career,  and  to  enjoy  the  un- 
impaired confidence  and  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens. 

Thk  Autiiok. 
New-York,  January  H,  1870.  , 


w 


^■ 


fr 


N  O  T  ICE 


TO  THE  VOLUNTKKIl  CORUKSPONDENTS 


or 


THE  MKRCANTILE  AND  COMMERCIAL  AGENCIES. 


HE    AuTItOK. 


WiiKN  lie  rominrnrpd  tlio  publirntinn  of  thiH  work,  tho  writer  (iropoactl  to 
in.<*crt  in  thv  A|))ion(Iix  tlio  nnmcH  of  the  known  rorrospondcntn  of  tlio  novoral 
AffoncirH.  M'liilHt  it  wiis  puHHiiifj  tliroimh  tho  \itvb»,  ho  lenrninl  that  lurfjo 
niriibers  of  tlit-st!  jierHonH  woro  ulruady  nMliunied  of  tho  bunincoH,  ft-urful  of  ex- 
])08iire,  and,  for  other  reasonH,  droppinj;;  out  of  nHSociation  witli  tho  AguncieH. 
It  occurn><l  to  him  thut  grcnt  injustice  miglit  be  done  and  ncedh'Hs  annoyanco 
given  to  thes<e  converts  to  aeff-nnprct  by  a  jxiblicution  of  their  names  after  their 
irUMriiirnl,  nnd  that  Home  more  time  nliould  l)e  ^ivcn  to  permit  tlio  remaining 
libellerH  of  neif;ljbor.s  to  reflect,  repent,  and  Hcver  their  connection  alno. 

Ah  his  purpose  in  reformation  ratlier  than  exposure — tlie  pt^nuinent  destruc- 
tion of  the  dctofllable  habit  rather  than  the  punishment  of  its  du]M-H  nnd  accc8- 
Bories— ho  has  finally  determined  to  withhold  the  names  of  correspondents  for 
the  prcHH  or  a  future  «dition.  Whoever  desires  to  drop  his  connection  with  tho 
system  meantime,  can  inform  me  by  letter,  and  his  name  will  bo  taken  off  tho 
list.  Tli(!  incorrigible  or  negligent  can  not  complain  if  they  find  themselves 
iluly  announced  us  in  the  active  exercise  of  a  disreputable  i)ractice. 

Thomas  F.  Mkaoher. 
Post-office  Bos  4309,  New- York  City. 


iw 


TAJJLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTKIl  I. 

rn-Iimiiinry 

CIIAI'TKIl  II. 

Th.'.  prima-farif.  Diinniltion  of  wif.)  Iiuii.iry-TlKiBjM.dal  IMv.cXh  of  InvoHti 

gutidii  by  llurottux  or  in  Muhh « 

('HAPTHR  III. 

l''urrlMT  DiHlculiu.H  of  tii.;  HyHt.-in  coMHidrml-Tlio  A^cncioH  rniatin^  than.     1« 

<;iIAI'TKK  IV. 

Wliat  tl.o  A;r„n(i(iH  niwiv.-— VVliiit  tli.iy  do  for  it,  nntl  liow  it  in  don..— How 
tli.7  tluiv(^  wlM.out  (l.-HorvinK— Tlio  "  H.-iiltl.-I.ilf'  ,i,„|  "  M„tli.Mxt..r 
iniiiiilor" „., 

CIIAI'TKK  V. 

'I'll.!  '■  F\...v.s"  wliich  iinlwk  nolliliig— How  HiiHinraH  (.'onfid.-m-.,  iH  n-^r„i„t,„].     ofl 

CHAPTHIt  VI, 

How  tlin  "  K.yH"  aro  pldVfMl  lui.I    KiitingH  iimdo  iii.-VV|,o  sit   in  judjrmctit 

(Uid  (liHjK'iini!  Agrri(;y  jiiHtiro '  .... 

CIIAI'TKK  VH. 
I-'tirtluir  IlhiHtratioim  of  Agnncy  iKnoruiic.',  Cupidity,  mid  Avnri.r  -  Do  they 
contribute,  to  luiHiciul  conHdiinco  V ^,. 

CIIAPTKIl  VIII. 

TIk!  ChnnpcH  in  HuiwriplionH-    Wlwu,  ciiuhih  llicni  ?     'rii.r  ^^:,■^u■\r»  an  VViti 
in-HHcHii/r„inHttlicniH<dv.'fl-'i'li..  Olii  and  N.nv  Ajfr.Tni.Mits   mid   tiir   »,■ 
v.rvX  Circuliir— AtloniplM  l<i  Diipr  Siili.HcriiicrH r,r, 

CUW'VVAi  I.\. 

DlHponHationH  of  I'mvidenn^.r  what  ?— Tho  H.-.-r.t  IJIiwk   {.JHt-Wliat  it  in 

with  IlhiHtrationH '     ^j, 

(IHAITKIl  X. 

WhfclH  within    VVh.,,dH-I)ortorH  difT.T-And  wliat  th.-y  nay  of  thrir  Pa- 

"""'" 07 


!     .-t 


XII  CONTKNTS. 

PAOB 

CHAPTER  XI. 
The  Weekly  Change-Sheets — Their  incompletenesH — Their  age 74 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Tampering  with  the  Legislatures  of  certain  States  and  the  Parliament  of  the 
Dominion  of  Canada — More  Secret  Circulars — Facts  and  Methods 80 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Spreading  the  Plague — The  ForcMgn  OfficeH  and  tlieir  uses — Jonathan  the 
only  Suspect 87 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Do  the  Agencies  contribute  to  or  le.ssen  Panics  in  Trade  ? ^1)0 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Do  the  Agencies  make  the  Corrections  which  tliey  claim  to  make? — Betray- 
ing Inquirers  to  each  other 5)0 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

The  relations  of  Agencies  to  Non-Subscribcis  and  "  Street"  rumors — Could 
Credits  be  guaranteed  and  Business  Profits  made  to  depend  more  exclu- 
sively on  the  amount  of  Sales  ? 103 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
The  legal  Difficulties  of  the  Agencies — How  they  strike  their  Colors  or  es- 
cape from  the  Field — Straws  from  the  Bar 113 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

The  Agencies'  Estimates  compared  and  applied  to  Individuals  in  various 
cities— The  ridiculous  Figure  cut  by  the  "  Wisdom-Sellers" 121 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Important  Legal  Decision — The  McLean  Case  in  Toronto — The  Agency  prin- 
ciple of  non-accountability  denied  by  a  Camdian  Jury — A  Verdict  for 
the  Plaintiff  in  a  Test  Case 144 

CHAPTER  XX. 

The  best  means  of  reducing  the  danger  fnmi  the  Inquisition — Corre.^pon- 
dents  behind  a  Mask — Wliat  Merchants  tuink  of  the  need  of  change — 
Free  Talkers  about  others  sure  to  be  brought  to  task 150 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

The  enormity  of  the  Black  Lists — The  number  of  Persona  and  amounts  of 
invested  Capital  placed  under  ban — Muddled  Credits  and  paralyzed 
Trade •. 107 

CHAPTER  XXII. 
Last  Words 173 


PAac 
74 

ent  of  the 

uds 80 

ithan  tlu! 
«7 

,1)0 

— Betray 
»G 


rs — Could 
ore  exclu- 


ors  or  es- 


103 


113 


u  various 


121 


3ncy  prin- 
erdict  for 


144 


'orref<pon- 
cbanse — 


159 


nounts  of 
paralyzed 


107 


173 


SECRET  BLACK   LISTS. 


PART    I. 

New- York  City ^*°" 

Brooklyn,  r>r.  1 

Albany,  N.  Y ..............!.  223 

Atlanta,  Ga ^^. 

Auburn,  N.  Y „" 

Baltimore,  Md „„„ 

•o  -,  42b 

Bangor,  Me ^^^ 

Binghamton,  N.  Y 229 

Boston,  Mass „„„ 

Buffalo.  N.Y '""^".^'.".".1""'.!!!;!!!  ;;■;;;  ■;;;■■■■  232 

Burlington,  Iowa „„,. 

Camden,  N.J '.". oS 

Charleston,  S.  C f  . 

chicagMii '.y^y.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.y.'.'.'. ^ 

Cincinnati,  O 

Clevelaud.O T:' 

Columbus,  O V. 040 

Davenport,  la 343 

Dayton,  O .......!!!....!".!.! 243 

Denver,  Col ^ 

Detroit,  Mich 246 

Dubuque,  la " " 

*^"e.pa ;:: If 

Evansvillo,  Ind ZZ 

Fall  River,  Mass „ 

Galveston,  Texas ~.^ 

Grand  Rapids.  Mich '. ^I!, 

Halifax,  N.  S ■■". "n 

Hamilton,  Ont ^'t 

Hartford,  Ct '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. ot, 

Houston,  Texas '    '   ~.!' 

Indianapolis,  Ind o,. . 

Jersey  City,  N.  J ..'.'.'.".'.'.'.'.".".'.'.'.'...'. .".".'."  ".'. 255 

Kansas  City,  Mo 

I_,                                                   ' «00 
iawrence,  Mass 2^7 

Leavenworth,  Kan n^^ 


XIV 


CONTENTS. 


PAOR 

Lockport,  N.  Y 258 

Louisville,  Ky 258 

Lowell,  Mass 250 

Lyun,  Mass 260 

Manchester,  N.  H 261 

Meniphie,  Tenn 261 

Milwaukee,  Wis 262 

Mobile,  Ala 264 

Montreal,  Que 265 

Nashville,  Tenn 266 

Newark,  N.  J 267 

New-Haven,  Ct 267 

New-Orleans,  La 269 

Norfolk,  Va 270 

Oswego,  N.  Y 271 

Paterson,  N.J 271 

Philadelphia,  Pa 272 

Pittsburgh,  Pa 274 

Portland,  Me 276 

Portland,  Or 277 

Poughkecps'e,  N.  Y 278 

Providence,  R.  1 278 

Raleigh,  N.  C 280 

Richmond,  Va 281 

Rochester,  N.  Y 282 

Sacramento,  Cal 283 

San  Francisco,  Cul 284 

Savannah,  Ga 286 

Scranton,  Pa 287 

Springfield,  Mass 288 

St.  John,  N.  B ^88 

St.  Joseph,  Mo 289 

St.  Louis,  Mo 290 

St.  Paul,  Minn 291 

Syracuse,  N.  Y 291 

Toledo,  0 292 

Toronto,  Ont 293 

Trenton,  N.  J 294 

Troy.N.Y 294 

Utiea,  N.  Y 295 

Washington,  D.  C 296 

Wilmington,  Del 297 

Worcester,  Mass 298 


THE    COMMERCIAL   AGENCIES. 


CHAPTER  I. 


PRELIMINARY. 

'*  Business  Society" — in  the  largest  sense,  the  inter-communi- 
cation of  civilized  man  for  admitted  purposes  of  protection,  protit, 
and  culture — is  a  phrase  representing  an  infinitely  complex  activity ; 
hut  its  definition,  for  the  purposes  of  this  Avork,  may  be  properly 
expressed  by  calling  it  "  that  body  of  men  who  live  by  traffic  in 
each  other's  goods,  and  protit  or  lose  by  reliance  on  each  other's 
integrity." 

The  earliest  recorded  commercial  transaction,  involving  money, 
is  that  in  the  Book  of  Genesis,  33  :  li),  where  Jacob  is  re- 
ported to  have  bought  "  a  part  of  a  field  from  the  children  of 
Ilamor  for  a  hundred  pieces  of  money."  Barter,  exchange  of 
commodity,  must  have  been  general,  however,  during  the  lifetime 
of  Adam,  and,  either  toward  the  close  of  his  life,  or  very  soon 
after  it,  must  have  reached  a  condition  of  fixed  valuer  suited  tu 
the  wants  of  his  inunediate  descendants  ;  for  we  beiriu  to  lind  the 
V, ord /leslta/i — which  means,  indifferently,  "a  lamb"  or  a  ''por- 
tion " — used  as  a  standard  among  them  :  so  many  lambs,  so  much 
laud.  When  the  purely  shepherd  character  changed  into  the 
more  fixed  j)atriarchal  form,  ''flocks"  came  to  l)e  a  means  of  com- 
parison Ai  ith  ''  herds,"  and  cattle  and  oxen  signified  relative  values. 
From  tlio  thing  itself  to  the  symbol  was  the  next  step.  One  piece 
of  money  was  marked  with  an  ox ;  and  thus  money,  as  a  represen- 
tative and  medium  of  exchange,  took  its  names  and  devices  from 
the  first  subjects  of  commerce. 

A  circulating  medium  may  be  anything,  provided  it  be  a  current 
representative  of  value.    In  the  Birmaii  Empire,  tin ;  on  the  coast 


THE   COMMERCIAL   AGENCIES. 


of  Africa,  shells;  in  the  interior  of  the  c<jiitineiit,  salt;  within  tlio 
territory  of  the  oldest  Asiatic  and  Kiinjpeaii  laoiiarchie-,  ^old  and 
silver — each  heeame  a  luediuiii;  but  since  Jeremiah  bought  the 
field  of  llanauieel,  hia  uucle's  son,  that  wii-i  in  Anathoth,  and 
"  weighed  him  tho  money,  Bevcnteeii  siiekels  of  silver,"  or  the 
later  time  when  David  bought  '•  tlie  Ihreshing-lhxjr,  cattle,  and 
agricultural  implemoiitrf  of  (Jrnan  the  Jebusitc,  iov  six  hundred 
shekels  of  gohl,''  silver  and  gold  have  been  the  j)rincip:il  media 
of  trade  for  the  far-scattered  descendants  of  Shem  and  dapheth. 

The  modern  trader,  uidikc  the  ancient,  or  even  tho  mediaival 
one,  need  not  bring  gold  (»r  silver  with  him  to  effect  ])urchases. 
All  he  re(jidres  is  to  have  the  reputation  of  i)Ossessing  enough,  and 
of  being  willing  and  aide  to  discharge  his  obligations  punctually, 
This  rej)utation  is  called  Cc^mmercial  Credit. 

As  the  first  act  of  monetary  trading  •was  an  Exchange,  the 
latest  one  is  neither  more  nor  less.  An  executed  exchange  leaves 
undetermined  merely  (piestions  of  False  Representation,  (jruaranty, 
Warranty,  etc.,  as  to  the  things  exchange<l.  An  executor//  exchange 
bargain  and  sale,  etc;.,  turn  almost  wholly  on  the  reputation  of 
the  persons  proposing  it,  either  in  the  sense  of  means  to  respond 
in  damages,  or,  wanting  adecpiate  means,  their  assisting  reputation 
for  honor  and  integrity. 

In  ordinary  dealings  between  men,  executory  tiafH(3  proceeds  on 
a  l)elief  in  the  suffieientfy  of  the  means  of  the  buyer  ;  in  exceptional 
cases,  on  their  personal  character,  cm/h  their  means;  but  it  is  safe 
to  say  that  society,  in  tho  commercial  and  trading  sense,  is  con- 
stantly enlarging  its  <lemand  for  tli;)  security  of  tangible  and  ex- 
ecutable goods,  and  ri.'lying,  less  and  h'ss  daily,  on  th'!  mere  moral 
character  of  the  owner.  Whether  this  tendency  ])e  wise  or  un- 
wis(! — whether  it  imlicate  a  lowering  of  public;  morality,  or  a  mere 
extension  of  relations  incompatible  with  oppoi'tunilies  of  ])ersonal 
knowleilire  of  men's  characters  for  honest  dealin;^ — is  nothing  to 
our  purp(tse.  It  shows  that  a  just  estimate  of  the  trading  i-esonrccs 
of  individuals,  iirms,  or  c(jrporatioiis  is  a  first  condition  of  traffic, 
and  that  a  false  one;  endangers,  limit-,  or  destroys  the  op[)ortuni- 
tics  «jf  trafllc,  and  either  .sus})ends,  or  causes  to  Ije  withheld  from 
business  effort,  the  chance  of  honorable  competition  and  tho  meed 
of  a])proi)riate  success. 

Since  a  correct  estimate  of  men's  means  to  fullil  their  business 


THE   SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


8 


s:ilt ;  williiii  tlio 
archies,  gold  uiid 
iiiiali  l)oii<j;ht  tlio 
n  Aiiathuth,  and 
f  silver,"  or  tlio 
floor,  (,'altle,    and 

for  hix  hundred 
(  principal  media 
n  ami  .lapheth. 
en  the  niediieval 

elleet  j)nrehase.s. 
ssing  enough,  and 
.tions  punctually, 

in  Exchange,  tlie 
exchange  leaves 
tation,  (iuarantv, 
ccutonj  exchange 
he  reputation  of 
lean.s  to  respond 
fisting  reputation 

rallit;  proceeds  on 
r ;  in  exceptional 
ns;  hut  it  is  safe 
iig  sense,  is  eon- 
;angil)le  and  ex- 
i  the  mere  moral 
y  ho  wise  or  uu- 
)r,ility,  or  a  mere 
lilies  of  })ersonal 
<f — is  nothing  to 
trading  resources 
Kiition  of  traffic, 
s  t'.ie  opportuni- 
)o  willihcld  from 
lou  and  the  iiu;e;l 

111  their  business 


obligations  is  a  first  condition  of  successful  business,  a  false  csti- 
intite,  either  because  of  its  being  a  wrong  conclusion  from  true 
data,  or  the  result  of  reasoning  (»!i  an  insufficient  collection  of  data, 
is,  to  persons  engaged  in  traffic,  an  injury  and  wrong  of  prime  im- 
portance, wliich  can  only  result  in  restricted  trading,  or  inade- 
(piate  profit,  or  final  ruin.  Either  conserpience  is  to  he  avoided 
and  dreaded.  For  wdiat  do  men  work,  from  year  to  year,  if  not 
for  the  probability  of  greater  growth  in  confidence  and  multiplied 
profits  i!  And,  even  if  their  capital  be  so  large  and  assured  as  to 
render  criticism  (^r  misrepresentation  comparatively  non-destruc- 
tive or  non-ruinous,  is  the  escape  from  failure  to  be  solely  regarded, 
and  not  the  unjust  and  exacting  struggle  which  they  have  been 
compelled  to  wage  when  fully  entitled  to  a  prosperous  ])eace  ? 

In  the  United  States  and  Canada  the  trading  public,  for  the 
first  (piarter  of  this  century,  had  no  settled  terms  of  credit,  a.s 
now  miderstood,  which  they  apjdied  hxd'tfferenihj  to  all  whom 
tliey  credited  ;  aiid  none  wliich  depended,  in  any  noteworthy  de- 
gree, on  what  we  may  call  extrinsic  knowledge.  !N[en  trusted  on 
the  basis  of  their  own  estimate  of  purchasers,  whether  as  to  morals 
or  means,  assisted,  perhaps,  by  the  friendly  advice  of  some  local 
trader  who  had  experience  of  the  habits  of  the  particular  appli- 
cant for  credit.  AVliere  their  knowledge  v/as  insufficient  to  justify 
dealings,  or  they  could  not  quickly  get  reliable  corroboration,  they 
contented  themselves  with  their  stock,  and  allowed  the  proposed 
trader  to  go  elsewhere.  A  secret  impiiry  was  a  wound  ;  and  while 
the  seller  felt  "above  it,"  the  buyer  was  too  high-mettle<l  to  })ur- 
chase  fnjin  the  iiKpiirer.  Such  a  state  of  business  was,  of  course, 
a  healthy  and  safe  one,  but  it  was  also  restricted.  It  was  not 
suited  to  a  homogeneous  political  society  like  that  of  tlit;  Inited 
States,  where  some  States  of  the  Confederation  produci'd  rice, 
sugar,  tobacco,  and  cotton,  and  others  wheat,  wo(.)l,  iron,  mikI  lead  — 
natural  exchangei — and  the  citizens  re(piircd  the  facile  sultstitution 
of  jiroducts  to  attain  ami  eiijc^y  the  benefits  of  their  climatic  ad- 
vantages, their  iiiter-Statc;  free-trailc,  and  liberal  political  in>titu- 
tions.  The  steamboat,  the  railmiid  train,  the  telegraph,  thr  tide- 
water canals,  all  conspired  to  (piicken  enter[»rise,  to  enlarge  com- 
mercial relations,  to  make  one  seat  of  special  activity  promptly  re- 
spond to  the  excitements  ami  lluctuatitjus  of  other  seats  of  energy 
or  capital :  and  hence  arose  the  necessity,  with  increased  population 


w 


THE   COMMERCIAL  AGENCIES. 


and  production,  for  more  extended  markets,  for  more  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  the  resources  of  traders  and  tlie  character  of  go- 
betweens  ;  and  witli  these  came  the  want  of  some  authentic,  or 
approximately  authentic,  substitute  for  the  old-time  restricted  and 
personal  inquiry  of  the  individual  merchant  into  the  integrity  and 
means  of  his  proposed  customers. 

Wiicn  Astor's  agents  bartered  for  peltries  with  the  Indian  and 
French  habitans,  he  drove  a  cash  business,  and  his  agents  had  no 
occasion  to  inquire  into  the  existence  of  a  capital  which  they  could 
see  and  touch  whenever  they  chose ;  but  when  checks,  bills  of  ex- 
change, and  promissory  notes  passed  into  general  vogue  as  com- 
mercial substitutes  for  the  issues  of  the  First  National  Bank,  and 
indicated  the  expanding  energies  of  invested  capital  in  forcing  a 
market,  it  became  the  interest  of  producers  to  acquire  a  knowledge 
of  the  resources  of  the  makers,  drawers,  and  indorsers. 

The  earliest  effort  in  this  direction  was  by  means  of  what  are 
now  known  as  Commercial  Travellers — persons  in  the  employment 
of  a  particular  house,  and  accustomed  to  give  the  result  of  their 
investigation  to  the  particular  merchant  for  whom  they  worked. 
This  method  was  expensive.  It  compelled  two  or  more  business 
firms  in  the  same  city  to  pay  twice  within  a  year  for  practically 
the  same  information.  It  had  a  further  drawback  in  the  eagerness 
of  these  travellers  to  sell  under  a  risk,  and  so  deserve  either  an  in- 
crease of  salary  or  an  increased  commission  on  sales.  These  allow- 
ances made,  the  device  was  suflicient  for  the  occasion.  While  the 
American  Hercules  was  yet  engaged  in  his  earliest  feats  of  con- 
scious power  and  bcneticence ;  while  the  internal  seas,  lakes,  and 
rivers  of  the  country  were  throbbing  with  new  forces,  and  distant 
coniniunities  coming  together  to  traffic  in  the  long  and  slowly-ac- 
cumulated wealth  of  the  Arcadian  age ;  Avhen  to  go  or  to  be  in 
debt,  except  for  a  brief  period,  or  without  resources  treble  its 
amount,  was  accounted  madness  or  dishonesty, — a  post-office 
address  was  as  assuring  as  a  deed  of  trust,  and  a  man's  full 
Christian  name  almost  tlio  business  eipiivalcnt  of  a  chattel  mort- 
gage. In  such  a  state  of  society  the  casual  traveller  served  his 
purpose  well  enougli ;  and  what  he  failed  hx  Avas  amply  compensat- 
ed for  by  the  strict  old-time  determination  to  pay  the  last  penny 
in  satisfaction  of  an  obligation.  Even  the  law  was  rather  a  re- 
served than  a  used  corrector  and  collector  of  unsettled  accounts. 


THE  SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


The  East  (tliero  was,  pvoi^orly  spcakiiii^,  no  "West  tlicn)  sold  and 
tlio  South  buiif^ht ;  and  tliu  year's  end  found  the  balances  adjusted 
and  the  temporary  debtor  a  desired  customer  for  tlic  next  year. 
Wliut  has  more  recently  come  to  be  called  "  Southern  honor"  had 
its  ori^^in  in  these  justified  confidences,  and  the  commercial  travel- 
ler was  quite  sufficient  for  all  the  demands  arising  out  of  them. 

I'lit  the  spirit  of  change  entered  into  the  people  with  the  new 
discoveries.  It  soon  seemed  barbarous  to  imprison  for  misfortune 
ill  business,  when  speculation  and  energy,  in  tossing  the  dice  of 
desperate  chances,  came  to  be  regarded  an  individual  honor  and  a 
national  characteristic.  The  etatntcs  in  reference  to  arrest  and 
imprisonment  sensibly  relaxed  in  several  States.  A  bankru])t  law 
followed.  Tiic  introduction,  outside  of  cities,  of  doulde-boltcd 
doors,  of  burglar-proof  safes,  of  a  more  general  carrying  of  arms 
on  the  person,  typified  the  growing  sense  of  insecurity  and  the  re- 
ccdenco  of  confidence.  Some  new  contrivance  had  to  bo  impro- 
vised to  meet  the  new  conditions  of  socictv.  The  formation  of 
an  association  of  merchants  in  New-York  was  the  first  step; 
the  next  was  the  joiut  appointment  of  a  common  agent,  S.  P. 
Church,  to  secure  and  forward  weekly  reports  of  the  condition 
and  business  relations  of  merchants  dealing  or  proposing  to  deal 
with  the  metropolis.  His  letters  were  copied  and  distributed 
among  the  members ;  were  afterward  printed,  for  greater  expedi- 
tion ;  and,  finally,  Avere  bound  and  preserved  nnder  the  title  of 
"Church's  Reports,"  Mr.  Church  was  succeeded  in  the  business 
by  his  brother,  John  It.  Church.  Lewis  Tappan  followed  John 
II.  Woodward  and  Dusenberry  next  entered  the  field ;  and  in  184:2 
the  feeble  voices  of  two  competing  bureaux  of  Business  Intel- 
ligence might  be  heard  in  New- York,  only  to  be  increased,  some 
years  later,  by  the  addition  of  Bradstreet's,  piped  for  a  time  on 
the  banks  of  the  Ohio,  and  transferred  to  the  Hudson  in  tho  faith 
and  trust  of  attaining  a  lustier  pitch  and  more  profitable  perfection. 

"We  have  traced  the  need,  and  introduced  the  applied  remedy. 
"We  admit  the  need.     We  deny  the  efficacy  of  the  remedy. 


6 


THE  COMMEUCIAL  AGENCIES. 


CHAPTER  II. 


THE    PRIMAFA(;iE    DIFFICUr/riKS    OF    SAFK    INQTIIRY— TIIK    SPE- 
CIAL DEFECT.S  OF   INVESTIGATION  BY  BUUEAIJX  Oil  IN  MASS. 

LiFio  iiipuranec  i.s  based  on  tlio  certainty  of  death  to  a  ])arti(;n- 
lar  nuiuber  of  men  in  a  particnlar  j)criod.  Tlie  Kortlianiptdn 
tables  are  found,  by  lon<^  experience,  to  be  ecpiivaleiit  to  a  matlie- 
matical  demonstration  of  this  nundjcr.  But  who  can  formulate 
solvencies  or  insolvencies?  or,  if  this  can  not  bo  done  in  the 
mass,  who  could  affix  the  term  of  either  to  any  particular  man  or 
firm  ? 

Qnetelet,  in  his  /Su?'  r/iomme,  has  shown  a  recurring  scries  of 
crimes,  preserving  a  close  approximation  to  uniforinity  (jf  number 
in  a  given  period,  but  he  reaches  the  result  by  considering  crimes 
as  deeds  of  violence  and,  of  course,  the  effective  cause  of  death, 
and  not  as  mere  breaches  of  moral  or  statutory  law.  In  other 
words,  he  takes  the  same  known  certainty  of  death  as  the  TVoi'th- 
ainpton  tables,  and  merely  differentiates,  with  the  aid  of  census 
and  prison  reports,  from  the  result  of  violence  to  the  variety  of 
methods  of  its  illustration. 

But  there  never  can  bo  a  Taljle  of  Fraud  compiled  or  loga- 
rithms of  insolvency  perfected.  In  its  very  essence  the  former  is 
elusive,  and,  resting  in  intent  more  than  in  consequences,  human 
ingenuity  would  be  taxed  in  vain  to  seize  it,  in  any  stage  of  pro- 
gress or  develoi">mcnt,  in  the  individual  or  in  the  conunnnity  ; 
whilst  the  latter,  as  it  may  be  the  result  of  a  single  bad  bargain, 
as  well  as  of  a  succession  of  bad  bargains,  or  the  incalculable  acts 
of  others,  is  no  less  incapable  of  calculation.  No  system  can  bo 
devised,  therefore,  to  overcome,  or  accurately  anticipate,  condi- 
tions and  circumstances  so  complex  and  variable.  In  life  in- 
surance, besides,  the  insurer  proceeds  not  only  on  the  proved 
average  oi  deaths  in  a  community,  but  he  secures  a  scientific  opin- 
ion of  the  state  of  health  of  the  applicant  at  the  time  of  his  ap- 


Be 


TUE   SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


plication.  ("((iiKtitutional  iiialudiL'S  arc  nvulily  (liscovcrod.  Apti- 
tiult'i',  or  c(Hi<litiuiifi  Kpocially  favonihlo  to  tho  aiMjuisition  of  con- 
ta<'ious  disuascvs,  aro  noted ;  and  a  ijinudattul  lioalth,  or  a  fraudu- 
lent withholding  of  indicative  Hyniptoiuts  or  facts,  is  made  Hulli- 
cient  to  avoid  the  policy.  The  in.surer,  too,  is  in  receipt  of  bene- 
fits loiiiX  before  he  i.s  called  on  to  discharge  obli<^ationri  ;  and  dur- 
ing the  running  of  the  jiolicy,  a.s  well  a.s  afterwards,  ho  hus  op- 
portunities of  detecting  whatever  might  be  used  to  defeat  his 
liability.  The  merchant,  on  tho  other  liand,  must  act  at  once,  and 
give  or  refuse  credit  Avithin  a  brief  period.  lie  must  judge  of  cry- 
j)carances  without  scientific  assistance.  If  he  in([uire  [)crsonally 
and  at  the  moment,  he  may  either  receive  correct  or  false  infor- 
mation, the  value  of  which  can  only  be  truly  determined  when 
the  time  of  credit  shall  liavo  expired;  and  if  he  iiupiiro  through 
third  parties — like  tho  Agencies — he  is  only  substituting  their 
presumption  for  his  own.  Anything  ai)proaehing  a  basis  for  a 
crodhfo/'inichi  is  plainly  out  of  the  (question  in  commercial  trans- 
actions, however  recent  may  be  the  examination  or  however 
thorough  the  examiner.  Wanting  a  basis  of  certainty,  or  method 
of  averages,  all  attempts  to  delino  what  are  and  ■wliat  arc  not 
judicious  estimates  of  credit  must  drop  from  tho  i)reteuco  of  sys- 
tem to  the  plane  of  guess-work,  with  less  or  more  chances  in 
favor  of  or  against  the  guesser.  Whoever  can  best  ae(julre  the 
greatest  amount  of  proximate  truth  in  reference  to  the  condition 
of  a  trader  can  (other  things  being  equal)  best  determine  'whether 
credit  should  be  given  or  withheld ;  and  as  tho  must  recent  and 
thorough  investigator  is  most  likely  to  arrive  at  a  wise  conclusion 
by  procuring  the  latest  information  attainable,  the  individual  who 
is  incited  by  the  greatest  pressing  interest  is  more  apt  than  any 
one  else  to  guess  with  less  hazard  of  being  every  time,  or  in  the 
majority  of  cases,  mistaken.  All  men  do  not  fail  in  business;  the 
majority  of  traders  pros})er;  few  of  the  prosperous  become 
fraudulent  to  become  more  j)r()sperous  temporarily :  these  are 
the  rules  for  guidance  possible,  in  all  events  ;  and  these  leave  the 
whole  inquiry  of  the  application  of  credit  to  particular  individuals 
to  be  only  safely  prosecuted  by  tho  person  who  might  suHer  per- 
sonally through  negligence,  or  by  some  one  who  bears  an  almost 
identical  relation  to  the  credit-giver. 

In  a  later  chapter  we  shall  apply  agency  estimates  to  indivi- 


8 


TlIK   COMMKRCIAL   AGENCIES. 


duals,  comparo  agency  cstimatt's  with  each  other,  and  demon- 
titrate,  from  tlio  comparison,  tho  infinite  superiority  of  indiviihia! 
over  a^'ency  gues^ses;  but,  meantime,  we  proceed  to  notice  tho 
wdient  elements  of  liusines.s  life  on  which  l)oth  nuist  i)ro('eed  to 
form  and  express  opini<^ns.  The  j)rimo  causes  of  business  failures 
are,  besides  overtrading  or  illegitiinatu  speculation,  personal  and 
family  extravagance,  gand)ling,  and  harlotry.  AVo  do  not  mention 
drinking;  for  it  is,  as  a  rule,  the  elfect  of  failing  fortunes,  and  not 
the  elHcient  cause  of  them  ;  ■whereas  tho  other  operative  vices 
usually  Bpring  from  excessive  hopefulness  or  a  luxury  begotten  of 
Buecess.  It  might  oven  be  doubted  whether  or  not  indulgence  in 
ardent  spirits — short  of  habitual  incapacity  to  do  business — has 
over,  of  itself,  produced  a  busines-i  failure.  Commercial  honor 
never  stootl  higher  in  this  country  than  when  tho  act  of  trading 
was  oijcnetl  and  closed  by  a  social  glass  in  the  very  temple  of 
Juno-Moneta,  This  habit  led  to  intimacies  and  ollicos  (jf  hospi- 
tality and  friendship.  Tho  fact  of  barter  was  only  one  incident 
of  a  social  intercourse  which  tho  Acriest  cheat  could  not  brini; 
himself  to  disregard  with  impunity.  Individual  boor  was  pledg- 
ed as  well  as  conunercial  lidelity ;  and  if  reverses  followed  and 
tho  latter  was  not  redeemed,  tho  seller  had  no  occasion  to  expect 
tho  pretended  tmfortunate  had  only  jiassed  from  foraging  on 
friends  to  an  opulent  privacy.  The  shamefacodncsi  which  now 
drives  tho  professional  gambler,  and  almost  him  alone,  out  of  a 
society  in  wliich  his  word  lias  been  broken,  was  then  so  potent 
with  all  classes  of  men  that  our  oldest  merchants  cannot  recall 
an  instance  of  ono  of  their  craft  Haunting  the  profits  of  a  fraudu- 
lent failure  in  the  faces  of  his  victims.  Suicide  or  exile  romoved 
tho  dishonored  ;  and  public  opiiuon  enforced  tho  alternative  with 
greater  vigor  and  remorselessness  than  courts  or  juries  liavc  since 
been  able  to  exercise. 

Tho  far-reaching  and  secret  habit  of  speculation  with  business 
capital  in  gold  and  .stocks — "  operating,"  as  it  is  called  in  tho  lan- 
guage of  the  street — presents,  in  itself,  an  obstacle  so  great  to  the 
attainment  of  any  sort  of  average  certainty  in  calculating  business 
I'isks,  as  to  be  practically  impossible  for  tho  Agencies.  It  is  no  longer 
confined  to  tho  avowed  brokers  and  speculators  of  our  money  cen- 
tres. Tho  artisan,  the  farmer,  tho  merchant  classes,  all  contribute 
their  (j[\iota  of  enthusiasm  and  supply  their  share  of  margins,  and 


THE   SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


flio  jncrcliant  class,  iiotahly  iiml  iiiiturally,  moro  tliaii  all  tho  rest. 
With  a  hrukiT  in  Wall  strout  and  a  stock  iiulicator  at  hirf  elbow, 
till)  trader  has  every  opportunity  of  taking'  a  hand  in  that  ini- 
niense  tralUe  in  <^old  and  stocks  wdiose  annual  sale;  by  means  of  tho 
(lold  Room  and  New  V^rk  Stock  Iv\chan_:;o  alone  is  computed  at 
^22,(»0t),tM»(»,()iH).  A  lortune  may  he  made  or  lost  in  a  day.  A 
third,  one  half,  all  the  capital  and  credit  of  a  lirm  may  he  risked 
and  swamped  in  less  time  lliin  it  would  take  to  remove  tho  shut- 
ters or  open  the  safe. 

The  temptation  afforded  by  thi.i  kind  of  ppoculation  is  not 
limited  to  any  class  of  jjcrsons  or  any  kind  of  biisines-!.  It  reaches 
everywhere.  The  clerk  and  his  employer,  tlu;  conlidential  mana- 
ger and  tho  senior  capitalist,  the  company's  secretary  and  the  bank- 
ing-house cashier,  feel  the  insidious  influence  of  the  rise  and  fall 
of  gold  and  stock  in  Wall  and  Broad  streets.  It  has  become  so  uni- 
versal that  its  results  can  no  longer  be  separated,  with  any  accuracy, 
from  such  heretofore  controlling  processes  as  (ho  procession  of 
the  Seasons,  the  growth  or  failure  of  Crops,  or  Peace  or  AVar  at 
home  or  abroad.  Outside  speculation  is  no  longer  an  exceptional 
fact  in  the  lives  of  our  business  lucn — a  Tulip-Fever  »>r  a  Cochin- 
China  madness;  a  "  put,"  a  "call,"  or  a  "turn"  have  become  a 
general  language  and  express  a  general  activity.  In  the  era  of 
kuee-broeches  and  silver  buckles,  pL'()j)le  pointed  at  a  wageror  in 
tho  few  stocks  then  in  vogue  as  a  man  apart  from  tho  ways  of 
men.  To-day  the  ditliculty  Avould  bo  to  show  a  man  who  is  not  a 
wagerer  on  the  possibility  of  a  possibility — a  secret  thrower  of  tho 
dice  of  chance — a  tossing  Bull  or  a  stjueezing  Boar  of  some  Stato 
or  minucipal  security,  ])referred  railroad,  mining  or  manufac- 
turiniir  stocks.  There  mav  bo  no  account  of  his  transacti<ins  in  tho 
ledger.  They  may  b'3 — generally  arc — kept  secret  from  his  busi- 
ness friends.  But  they  write  themselves  in  his  care-worn  face, 
and  either  lift  him  to  sudden  afHuence  or  precipitate  him  into  as 
wondrous  poverty. 

How  can  a  mercantile  or  c(;iuniercial  Agency  learn,  calculate,  or 
approximate  the  extent  of  this  universal  hal)it  on  business  men's 
capital  and  credit?  How  can  it  foretell  by  an  hour,  a  month, 
or  a  year,  whether  an  unknown  investment  shall  prove  fortunate 
or  unfortunate,  when  tho  investor  himself  is  so  often  mistaken 
and  deceived  ?     Many  times  the  whole  availablo  floating  capital  of 


Il»^|ir^ 


10 


THE  COMMERCIAL   AGENCIES. 


tlie  country  is  turned  over  in  Wall  and  Broad  streets  within  a  year. 
Who  can  predicate  of  any  particuhir  part  of  it  that  the  places  which 
knew  it  once  shall  know  it  any  more  forever  ? 

Wc  do  not  ask  how  it  is  possible  for  the  Agencies  to  anticipate  a 
Black  Friday  or  some  lessor  calamity  at  any  time— for  prescience 
like  this  conld  not  he  pretended  ;  but  wo  inquire,  what  can  they 
l<now  of  the  ordinary  daily  dealings  of  any  single  man  in  the  Stock 
Board  or  in  the  Street?  Absolutely  nothing.  The  reader  versed 
in  the  names  and  fortunes  of  Wall  and  Broad  streets  need  only 
look  at  the  ratings  of  any  dozen  of  his  acquaintances  to  learn  the 
consequence.  A  more  perfect  hal  masque  cannot  be  conceived. 
Every  one  will  bo  found  to  have  a  different  character  from  what 
the  reader  knows  him  to  possess,  and  one  just  as  different  from  his 
"  street"  character  as  :'f.  is  possible  to  be  variant.  Relations  find 
poorer  relations,  who  could  not  control  one  thousand  dollars  over 
and  above  the  value  of  their  seat,  rated  in  the  Imndreds  of  thou- 
sands ;  others,  Avith  hundreds  of  thousands,  not  rated,  or  despit'^fully 
used.  It  would  occupy  too  much  space  to  give  instances  which 
must  be  at  the  finger-ends  of  every  banker,  broker,  and  operator. 
While  we  pay  from  $150  to  $5000  yearly  subscription,  wa  must  not 
be  surprised  to  find  Henry  Clows  &  Co.  standing  as  high  in  credit  as 
A.  T.  Stewart  &  (Jo.  when  the  firm  was  not  worth  one  tenth  of 
its  liabilities,  and  Jay  Cooke  &  Co.  exalted  to  the  skies  in  credit 
and  capital  at  the  very  moment  Avlien  courts  of  Common  Law  aiul 
Bankruptcy  were  contending,  preliminarily,  which  should  dole  out 
his  shrmdvcn  values  and  appease  the  cries  of  speculating  widows 
and  investing  orphans. 

Harlotry  and  concubinage  are  just  as  difficult  of  estimate  as 
secret  speculations.  They  are  mainly  modern  in  our  commercial 
classes.  The  leman  and  the  kept-mistress  were,  forty  years  ago,  the 
luxuries  of  the  professional  classes  and  the  hereditary  capitalist  in 
lands  or  slaves.  The  growth  of  great  commercial  fortunes,  aiul 
the  decreasing  horror  of  libertim'sm,  transferred  the  custom  of  two 
households  to  the  sons  of  trade,  proper ;  and  investments  of  this 
kind  are  now,  veiy  generally,  elements  of  disturbance  and  doubt 
in  the  computation  of  business  risks. 

Whilst  we  think  the  moderate  use  of  ardent  spirits  slvould  not 
be  weighed,  if  it  could,  in  credit  ratings,  we  concede  that  tlie  dual 
family  esttiblishment  is  of  prime  significance  to  the  creditor  class. 


1 

lin  a  year.  ^ 
ices  which            ^HJ 

iticipate  a            ^1 

prescience            JH 

,  can  they  ^H 
the  Stock            Wjm 

ier  versed            ^H 

need  only             '^B 

learn  the             ^^m 

jonceived.             ^H 

'rom  what            aH 

tfrom  his            ^H 

tions  find            |H 

jllars  over            ^H 

3  of  thou-            ^B 

3Ppit''ifully  ^jl 
ces  which                1 

operator, 
3  must  not 

n  credit  as 

e  tenth  of                ;^; 

s  in  credit                ^M 

I  Law  and                1 

\  dole  out               .:| 

ig  widows                 i| 

itiniate  as            *    | 

>minercial                f 

rs  ago,  the  ^ 
pitalist  in                f- 

unes,  and                el 

)m  of  two                '■> 

its  of  this              f  % 

md  doubt                f 

lould  not 

t  the  dual 

liter  class. 

THE  SYSTEM   EXP0ST2D. 


11 


Its  progeny  arc  recklessness,  desperation,  shame,  and  ruin.  In- 
dulged in,  at  first,  as  a  contrast  to  the  even  tenor  of  conjugal  love  ; 
persisted  in  afterwards  from  a  sense  of  choosing  l)ct\vecn  the 
evil  of  loss  and  the  disgrace  of  exposure,  but  always  a  source  of 
})rcsent  prodigality,  and  an  inducement  to  hazardous  ventures  pro- 
mising large  returnr,,  the  meretricious  relationship  affects  the  busi- 
ness community  more  than  all  other  causes  (■oml)ined.  The  ex- 
penses of  tlio  admitted  home  may  be  estimated  by  the  careful 
creditor  at  all  times,  and  curtailed  by  the  debtor  in  emergencies. 
The  exactions  of  the  hidden  liospice  of  lust  are  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  imps  of  whim  and  caprice,  a^^d  arc  only  certain  to  be 
uncei'tain,  sure  to  be  selfish  and  jn'ofligatcly  persistent.  Worse 
than  wine,  worse  than  faro,  the  hidden  lia'mon  corrodes  and 
crushes  the  man  of  business.  Faro  may  select  one  from  thou- 
sands to  load  with  a  special  luck  ;  wine  nuiy  make  fi-iends  who 
shall  prove  of  service  in  the  day  of  trouble ;  but  Lais,  never  com- 
pensative, hastens  to  plant  the  poppy  of  forgetfulness  over  her 
latest  victim,  and  celebrates  his  ruin  l)y  advertising  it  to  his  suc- 
cessor. 

Personal  and  family  cxtraA'agancc  in  dress  and  living  is  an- 
other subject  of  consideration  in  estimating  business  risks.  It  is 
undoubtedly  cairied  to  great  excess,  but  it  is  under  the  restraint 
of  publicity,  and  therefore  subject  to  approximate  computation. 
It  is  not  always  voluntary  or  a  proof  of  poor  business  habits,  the 
thriftiest  and  most  prudent  often  submitting  to  it  from  necessity, 
and  iruiking  up  for  prodigality  at  the  house  by  parsimony  at  tho 
store.  Again,  is  not  this  the  era  of  show  ?  and  how  can  we  always 
bo  positive  that  the  front  pew  at  the  church,  for  a  fabulous  price, 
or  tho  sumptuous  entertainment,  or  the  costly  equipage,  are  not  so 
many  judicious  advertising  tricks,  and  well  calculated  to  lead  to 
business  advantages  in  extremity,  or  even  go  far  to  compensate 
for  restricted  capital  ? 

All  these  subjects  must,  in  one  form  or  another,  enter  into  tho 
calculations  of  the  circumspect  seller.  They  should  be  considered 
carefully  by  the  agencies,  if  agencies  are  to  attempt  supplanting 
individual  investigation.  In  this  connection,  incpiiry,  to  bo  etK- 
ciont,  must  be  impersonal,  dispassionate,  direct  as  possible,  and 
thoi'ough.  Is  it  ?  Not  at  all.  The  chance  phrase  of  some  chance 
accpiaintaace  is  picked  up  by  tho  readiest  or  most  attentive  ear. 


^ 


12 


THE   COMMERCIAL  AGENCIES. 


It  may  mean  a  fast  life  with  abundant  means,  a  fast  life  -withont 
means,  or  a  fast  tendency,  Avitli  the  higlicst  commercial  standing 
and  integrity.  To  Deacon  Sniveller,  of  the  basement,  a  Park 
outfit  is  proof  of  coining  bankruptcy  in  the  case  of  Solomon 
Lighthcarl,  of  the  first  lloor  front.  An  equal  expenditure  for 
the  support  of  "The  IIouic  for  able-bodied  Pharisees"  would 
insure  a  very  different  interpretation.  "What  is  mere  energy  and 
dash  to  the  critic  of  forty  years  is  darc-devilism  and  recklessness 
of  the  worst  kind  to  the  eye  of  sixty  or  seventy  years.  AVeston, 
without  explanation,  is  oidy  a  "  tramp,"  and  Bennett  unexplained, 
with  hisyachts  and  wagers  and  walking  matches,  is  only  a  younger 
Jim  Mace,  with  the  Herald  newspaper  thrown  in.  So  controlling 
and  important  arc  these  shallower  judgments  of  the  tattlers  of 
trade,  which  the  agencies  represent,  that  the  heartiest,  the  purest, 
and  the  financially  strongest  men  are  obliged  to  resort  to  a  self- 
protecting  hypocrisy  and  make-believe  in  their  exterior  life  and 
bearings.  From  these  persons,  too,  rather  than  from  the  straight- 
laced,  churches  receive  their  best  aids  and  charity  finds  her  most 
munificent  benefactors.  By  a  further  and  parallel  necessity,  almost 
every  great  business  scandal  and  fraud  recently  broached  and 
practised  has  had  a  religious  phase  to  it.  Howard's  Washington 
Steeple  rested  on  the  empty  vaults  of  the  Freedtnan's  Savings 
Bank.  The  Clergyman's  Retreat  in  Lake  Erie  prefigured  the  bank- 
rupt glories  of  Ogonfz.  And  almost  all  the  wildest  or  least-prin- 
cipled of  the  disciples  of  Mammon,  from  Fisk  and  Gould  to 
Cooke  and  Clews,  raised  temples  to  Christ  in  veriest  mockery  of 
the  Nazarcne. 

"VVe  have  indicated  a  few  of  the  obstacles  to  any  kind  of  accu- 
racy in  business  estimates ;  we  proceed  to  notice  the  one  above 
all  others  which  produces  inaccuracy  and  injustice.  Any  one  who 
has  read  the  reports  of  the  agencies  knows  that  they  are  suffused 
with  the  essential  essence  of  the  spirit  of  Cant.  Liquorish  praise 
or  deadly  ichor  Jistiiiguishes  them.  That  set  of  men  who  may  be 
classed  as  the  old  maids  of  the  sex,  whoso  spleen  is  greater  than 
their  judgment,  and  their  active  malice  greater  than  both,  are  the 
fact  and  surmise  gatherers  and  the  true  authors  of  these  under- 
mining commentaries.  Their  test  is  a  simple  one  :  Is  he  a  church 
member  in  good  standing?  Does  he  subscribe  to  the  Tract  So- 
ciety, direct  a  Sunday-school,  help  in  a  choir  ?     In  either  event  a 


L.2i 


THE  SYSTEM  EXPOSED. 


13 


ifo  witliont 


s  her  most 

sity,  almost 

ached   and 

\rashington 

I's  Savings 

1  the  bank- 

least-prin- 

Gould  to 

nockorv  of 

d  of  accu- 
one  above 
y  one  Avho 
e  suffused 
»rish  praise 
ho  may  be 
cater  tlian 
th,  are  tlie 
ose  inider- 
e  a  church 
Tract  So- 
er  event  a 


cheery  certificate  passes.  Lesser  claims  to  piety  arc  also  recognized, 
but  in  a  descending  scale.  An  "  A  1  "  heathen  will  generally  be 
found  to  bear,  in  the  private  archives,  a  worse  financial  character 
than  the  struggling  "  brotlier." 

It  is  not  alone  the  tendency  of  the  shrewdest  and  most  politic 
business  men  to  anticipate  hostile  cant  by  acquiring  a  church 
membership.  The  owners  and  city  and  country  reporters  of  the 
agencies  affect  the  same  judicious  show  of  moral  pretence. 
JVLKillop,  of  McKillop  &  Spraguc  Co.,  acts  as  pastor  to  a  congre- 
gation at  Flatbush,  L.  I.,  in  a  church  partially  erected  and  wholly 
supported  by  him.  The  admitted  reason  of  his  ministration  is  to 
save  the  expenses  of  a  regular  clergyman.  The  profane  allege 
that  it  is  to  preserve,  in  fullest  opportunity  of  weekly  iteration, 
the  standing  advertisement  of  his  own  godliness  and  contributions, 
Tupper,  of  Dun,  Barlow  &  Co.,  carries  his  mortified  body — at- 
tenuated by  many  fasts  and  vigils — across  the  rapt  visions  of  the 
Seventh  Avenue  United  Presbyterian  congregation.  Anderson, 
of  the  same  agency,  is  an  active  Methodist  and  hot  revivalist, 
Wiman  was  a  rigid  Presbyterian  in  Toronto,  a  Baptist  in  Mon- 
treal, and  is  now  an  Episcopalian  on  Staten  Island.  It  used  to  bo 
the  pride  and  boast  of  Tappan,  the  foster-father  of  the  system, 
that  he  retained  no  man  in  his  employment  avIio  was  not  a  church 
member,  and  who  could  not  give  the  text  of  the  Sunday  sermon. 

The  device  is  a  natural  one.  In  all  ages  the  shrines  of  piety 
possessed  a  special  attraction  to  the  most  adventurous  spirits. 
Silly  nobles,  weak  kings,  here  and  there,  attemptcrl  to  es'jap3 
oblivion  by  a  stained  window,  a  tapestry-lined  chancel,  or  an  en- 
during sculpture  ;  but  the  most  lavish  givers  have  always  boon  the 
boldest  getters,  from  tlie  Borgias  of  Florence  to  the  church- 
building  Plantngonets  and  Tiidors  of  England.  The  comment 
holds  good  in  our  own  time.  The  chnrch  not  raised  on  tlie  proKt 
of  adulterated  food,  watered  stocks,  or  a  well-timed  "  corner"  sel- 
dom or  never  rises  outside  the  granger  districts  of  our  God-fearing 
society.  Science  is  the  beneficiary  of  the  successful  literary  or 
professional  man.  Humanity  or  philanthropy  attracts  the  ingots 
of  the  honest  and  humane.  The  religion  of  rewards  and  punish- 
ments secures  the  greater  portion  of  the  deceitful  favors  of  the 
profitably  time-serving  and  advantageously  corrupt  of  every  trade 
and  calling. 


u 


THE   COMMERCIAL   AGENCIES. 


In  these  cliurch  associations,  mainly,  tlio  agencies  procure  their 
private  history  of  husiness  men.  You  may  live  long  next  door 
to  a  city  merchant  without  knowing  his  private  history.  Belong 
to  the  same  church  with  him,  or  know  a  brother  who  belongs  to  it, 
and  your  greatest  difficulty  will  soon  bo  to  cut  off  or  lessen  the 
flow  of  scandal  which  the  connection  pours  by  imknown  processes 
out  of  his  home  and  into  yours,  and  vice  versa. 

The  agencies  dabble  in  these  waters  of  bitterness  for  want  of 
better.  They  must  accept  the  measures  in  which  they  are  meted 
out  or  go  unrcfreshed.  The  blind,  the  halt,  and  the  lame,  in  the 
outside  world's  opinion,  here  drop  their  defects  and  crutches  and 
go  forth  new  men.  The  hearty,  and  upright,  and  straightforward, 
in  the  outside  world's  opinion,  arc  admonished  and  soon  made  to 
feel  their  unworthiness.  The  results  to  character  are  astounding 
judged  from  anon-church  standard;  but  they  are  certain,  and  con- 
tribute more  to  the  tone  and  temper  of  agency  opinion  and  litera- 
ture than  the  inquisitiveness  of  the  press,  the  disclosures  of  the 
courts,  or  the  loquacity  of  traders,  combined. 

Let  us  not  be  misunderstood :  we  make  no  war  on  the  grand 
inquisition  of  the  churches.  "Wo  merely  inquire  of  the  business 
men  of  the  country  if  they  arc  content  to  be  judged  by  the 
knaves  and  hypocrites  who  may  enter  into  these  leagues  for  the 
purpose  of  more  recondite  fraud  or  the  more  facile  satisfaction 
of  malice. 

The  truly  good  members  are  not  the  tale-bearers  and  slanderers. 
They  are  too  busy  serving  God  to  injure  their  fellows.  But  the 
splenetic,  the  suspicious,  the  sore-headed  press  forward  in  the  work 
of  slander  and  detraction,  and  assume  and  hold  the  places  fitted 
for  modest  merit  and  true  piety.  The  narrow-minded  zealot ;  the 
addle-pated  professor  of  some  pet  social  fanaticism ;  the  knave 
who  fawns  on  the  prosperous  only  to  assail  the  aspiring  with 
more  successful  malignity :  who  would,  who  should,  be  content 
to  be  judged  by  these?  or,  being  judged,  who  would  submit  to 
have  these  horned  beetles  and  stinging  wasps  of  the  social  hive 
pass  current  for  the  correct  in  conduct,  the  best  in  manners,  and 
the  highest  in  business  dealings  ?  Into  these  church  reservoirs  of 
news,  backbitings,  profitable  malice,  and  passionate  phariseeism 
the  agencies  go  for  material  for  opinion.  They  contribute  the 
"facts"  often,  the  "tone"  always;  and  the  agencies,  from  ncces- 


THE   SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


ir 


sitj  or  design,  receive  the  darkest  jiigments  in  their  reports,  and 
the  most  bleaching  lotions  as  well,  fn)in  tlie  dripping  of  the 
sanctuaries. 

The  reader  can  estimate  the  chances  uf  aceiiracj  in  tlio  pre- 
sence of  these  complex  diflicidties  resting  in  the  veiy  nature  of 
the  agencies'  investigations,  or  arising  out  uf  tlie  initial  efforts  to 
])rosecute  them.  Ilo  can,  Ave  think,  already  agree  with  us  in  our 
iirst  proposition,  that  the  agency  pretence  of  aiding  trade  l)y  correct 
estimates  of  credit  and  capital  is  sadly  marred  at  the  very  thresh- 
old of  our  criticism;  and  that  between  elements  which  would 
embarrass  and  deceive  the  very  best  individual  examination  into  a 
man's  circumstances,  and  others  which  go  n)erely  to  dldiwh  the 
tmmmittin<j  medium,  the  agencies  are  powerless  to  intelligently 
advise  risks  or  to  regulate  credits. 


I^f 


16 


THE  COMMERCIAL  AGENCIES. 


11 


CIIAPTEIi    III. 


FURTHER    DIFFICULTIES    OF    THE    SYSTEM     CONSIDERED  :     THE 
AGENCIES  CREATING  THEM. 

GivEX  a  perfectly  honor.ablc  management,  a  mercantile  or  com- 
mercial agency  such  as  McKillop  &  ISpraguc  Co.,  Dun,  Barlow 
&  C'  1  J.  M.  Bradstreet  &  Sons  possesses  certain  inherent  de- 
fect'r  ''o  .an  can  serve  two  masters.  An  agency  cannot,  in  the 
nature  of  Jio  thing,  take  pay  from  the  buying  and  selling  classes 
and  do  full  justice  to  both.  It  must  be  two-faced,  under  the  opera- 
tion of  u  "on:'.  (  ig  purpose.  The  Western  subscriber  who  pur- 
chases imported  g.wu:.  on  credit  in  New- York  finds  the  seller  a 
subscriber  liere.  The  Xew-York  subscriber  who  goe^  to  Boston, 
Lowell,  Philadelphia,  or  Cincinnati  for  particular  lines  of  manufac- 
ture, finds  the  seller  a  subscriber  in  those  cities.  Vendor  or  ven- 
dee, both  pay  the  agency,  and  the  agency  nmst  strike  on  accomyna- 
dat'ing  mean  to  secure  their  support,  or,  to  be  fully  just  to  one, 
must  take  the  other's  pay  while  it  depreciates  or  destroys  his  re- 
sponsibility. The  first  consequence  is  a  natural  and  inevitable 
one.  To  get  and  keep  subscribers  the  agencies  must  approximate 
their  opinions  jf  themselves  (when  it  reports  them  as  they  really 
are)  ;  and,  efticiently  for  others,  it  must  depart  from  what  they  con- 
ceive themselves  entitled  to,  and  incur  the  loss  of  patronage.  Be- 
tween the  caution  of  the  seller,  which  always  exacts  a  large  allow- 
ance of  surplus  assured  assets,  and  the  halcyon  opinion  of  the  buy- 
er, who  always  places  a  flattering  rating  on  his  own  resources,  the 
agency  finds  its  first  difficulty,  and  enters,  in  self-defence,  on  its  first 
deception.  As  it  takes  pay  from  both  it  endeavors  to  satisfy  both. 
To  cater  to  the  seller's  sense  of  caution  it  indidges  in  cheap  general- 
ities and  crams  of  business  wisdom.  To  a  grain  of  even  hypothet- 
ical statement  it  adds  a  pound  of  flimsy  phrases  which  may  mean 
anything  or  nothing  to  the  eager  and  suspicious  inquirer.  The  rat- 
ings dance  up  or  down  like  colored  balls  in  a  toy  fountain,  as  the 


TllK   SYSTEM   KXl'OSEl). 


17 


RED  :      THE 

itilo  or  com- 
)un,  Barlow 
inherent  de- 
nmot,  in  the 
}llinsx  classes 
}r  the  opera- 
icr  Avho  pur- 
tlie  seller  a 
s  to  Boston, 
of  nianufac- 
1(1  or  or  ven- 
m  accomino- 
jnst  to  one, 
trovs  his  re- 
d   inevitable 
approximate 
s  they  really 
lat  they  eon- 
:)nage.     Be- 
large  allow- 
1  of  the  bny- 
csources,  the 
•e,  on  its  first 
satisfy  both. 
leap  general- 
:>n  hypothet- 
h  may  mean 
•er.    Therat- 
ntain,  as  the 


i 


stream  of  di-ivel  risc.^  from  "  good  for  a  ivafionahle  credit"  up  to 
"  o-ood  for  all  engagement?:,  but  of  little  repntation  in  the  trade, 
and  worth  watching,"  and  falls  again  to  "  the  man  has  capital  to 
xiime  aniDiuit,  whicli  cannot  1)0  ascertaineth"  or  "  pays  ])roni[)tly, 
hut  the  m.incv  is  })resnmed  to  come  from  his  fathei',  wlio  failed 
in  l)usiness  last  year  and  is  Kiijyposed  to  work  on  a  salary." 

To  add  to  the  1  )el[ihie  donbtf\dness  and  wary  inconseipience  and 
attennated  meanings  of  these  reports,  a  language  of  symbols  is 
adopted,  wliere  tlie  Araljian  Al  j)hal)et  and  Uoman  Xnmerals  do  ser- 
vice in  affording  lurking-places  for  ignorant  guessing  ;  labyrinths 
of  inference  where  the  seeker  of  information  may  wander  in  end- 
less mazes,  lost ;  covered  ways  where  character  and  credit  may 
lie  '•  knocked  iu  the  head  "or  not  with  sublime  indilfereiice  and 
benign  impartiality — the  end  and  object  of  all  the,/z'y/<\s'sv  being  sim- 
])ly  to  shield  and  shnrnd  in  a  twilight  haze  the  tricks  and  devices 
by  which  wholesalers  and  retailers,  bnyers  and  sellers,  are  all  ex- 
phjited,  and  neither  benefited,  intelligently  rated,  nor  intelligently 
advised. 

This  is  not  merely  an  intennittent  vice  of  the  system  of  at- 
tempting to  reconcile  two  irreconcilable  interests  ;  to  extend  and 
preserve  a  clientage  in  practically  amagonistic  classes  :  it  is  the 
first  anil  insnrmoiuitablc  eonsetpience  of  the  enlargement  of  the 
systc'.n  beyond  the  service  of  the  selling  classes,  and  its  per- 
version, for  the  simple  ])urposo  of  clear  gain,  to  every  one  who 
will  buy  a  referencedjook  and  advance  a  subscription. 

A  second  intrinsic  and  insurmountable  diliicnlty  of  thesystem  is 
the  remoteness  c>f  the  persons  affected,  whether  as  seekers  or  givers 
of  credit,  froni  the  information  giving  and  receiving  centres.  AVe 
do  not  mean  remoteness  in  space — for  the  telegra])h,  if  parsimony 
ilid  not  prevent  its  nse,  nnght  l)e  made  to  t)vercoine  that  element 
of  inconveinencc — but  remoteness,  in  degree,  from  the  original 
sources  of  inforiuation.  Tlie  chief  t.iliice  oi'  district  one,  or  the 
manager  of  either,  has  never  personally  met  live  hnndred  of  the 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  persons  who  figure  in  the. agency  jtages 
ami  reports  ;  of  this  live  hundred  the  ti-iit'  financial  position  of  a 
■"^'dujh'  one  has  never  hvan  j><  I'niDndhj  inquired  into  and  deternnned 
by  the  person  in  charge  of  the  chief  office  or  district  oifices.  The 
(•o!lecti(,>n  of  names  and  pretended  data  in  the  agency  books  is  sim- 
ply the  result  (d"  chance  contribntions  of  intelligence  from,  generally, 


18 


TIIK   COMMERCIAL   AGENCIES. 


tli(!  least  .Sflf-rc'spectini,'  and  loa^t-like(l  iiiau  iiiliirf  own  conuuunity  : 
8t'lt'-reportini,f,  wliicli  i.s  taken  fur  gninted,  if  juinod  with  any 
])rofessed  interest  in  oi-  service  for  tlie  agency,  or  is  aeeejjted  with 
tliank.s  because  costless,  and  merely  toned  down  with  a  judicious 
resjiect  for  the  benefactor  ;  or  the  I'eprinted  and  rcvani})ed  ac- 
cumulated odds  and  ends  of  business  directories  and  former  or 
other  af^ency  reports,  of  ten  to  tliirty  years'  standing.  Not  a  pai'- 
ticle  of  this  agglomerate  of  names,  figures,  guesses,  self-jn-aisc,  dis- 
praise, malice  has  been  subjected  to  critical  examination  by  the 
agency  managers,  in  the  lirst  instance.  They  collect  it  in  Xew- 
York  from  the  country,  receive  and  dmnp  it  into  print,  and  trust 
to  luck  whether  it  shall  ever  be  incj^uired  into  ;  or,  if  inquireil 
about,  shall  be  powerless  for  good  or  evil  because  of  its  vagueness ; 
or,  if  erroneous  and  harmful,  that  it  will  be  viewed  as  an  attempt 
in  the  interest  of  trade  to  be  commended  or  overlooked. 

Now,  while  it  i.s  manifest  local  sources  of  information  arc  the 
very  best  and  the  only  relialde  means  of  datti,  persons  in  the  vici- 
nage, even  if  in  high  standing,  are  the  most  likely  to  be  passionate 
and  prejudiced  estimators  of  its  value  and  importance ;  and  the 
reader  can  I'cadily  judge  of  the  oi'iginal  value  of  <^?rt^(t  furnished  by 
unpaid  volunteer  censors,  in(|uisitors  invited  to  judicial  functions 
by  hajihazai'd  selections  from  a  lawyer's  directory  and  their  own 
reference-books,  or  the  eager  witnessing  of  some  competitor  in  the 
same  line  of  business  "  over  the  way.''  The  volunteer  informer  is 
sure  to  have  a  reason  of  his  own  in  mcddlinu'  with  his  neighbor's 
affairs.  Human  experience  disqualifies  him  as  an  unsupervised 
collector  of  facts  or  opinions.  The  substantial  men  in  a  commu- 
nity never  sink  to  this  work.  It  can  only  be  performed  or  tender- 
ed, theix'fore,  by  the  ill-at-case,  struggling,  acrid  spirits  of  the  pla('e 
— the  meddlesome,  mischief-making  busy-bodies,  Avhose  moving- 
springs  are  envy,  greed,  i;nchaiitableness,  (ir  disappointed  ambition. 

The  re([uested  legal  in(piisitor  generally  bears  the  same  relation 
to  his  jjrofession  that  the  volunteer  informer  bears  to  society  at 
large.  He  is  never  the  leading  man,  never  among  the  leading  men 
of  the  local  bar,  if  the  town  have  thre3  thousand  or  over  inhabi- 
tants. In  small  places,  he  may  be  among  the  least  engaged  of  the 
two  or  three  who  can  survive  in  such  restricted  pasturage.  But 
he  is  sure  to  be  asked,  either  because  he  is  n<>^  engaged  in  lucrative 
litigated  practice  (for  Such  a  man  would  be  too  much  related  to 


THE   SYSTKJr   EXPOSED. 


10 


■ommuiiity  : 
1  with  iitiy 
cepted  witli 
:i  judi(-'lous 
vaiiipod  ;u'- 
(1  former  or 

Not  ;i  p:ir- 
f-pvaisc,  dis- 
atiou  by  tlio 

it  in  New- 
nt,  and  trust 

if  in<piireil 
:d  vagueness ; 
,s  an  attempt 

a. 

lation  arc  tlie 
w  in  the  viei- 
be  passionate 
ice ;  and  the 
/furnished  by 
cial  functions 
ud  their  own 
petitor  in  the 
iv  informer  is 
lis  neighbor's 
unsupervised 
L  in  a  commu- 
led  or  tender- 
ts  of  the  place 
lose  moving- 
ited  aml)ition. 
game  rehition 
to  society  at 
.0  leading  me!', 
r  over  inhabi- 
sngaged  of  tlu: 
sturage.     13ut 
d  in  lucrative 
cli  related  to 


:-i 


and  associated  with  the  business  men,  and  too  self-rospeclful  to 
sneak),  or  l)ccause  he  Is  engaged  in  some  accessory  ein])loyment. 
lik(!  that  of  a  notary,  conmiissionei-,  etc.,  wliich  indicates  in  itself, 
to  the  legal  jirofession,  a  struggle  for  life  vn  the  stray  planks  and 
spars  when!  some  higher  jiurpose,  some  nol»ler  ambition,  went 
down  in  storm  or  darkness;  or,  linally,  because  some  satisfactorily 
rated  subscriber  engages  him  for  cheap  collection  work,  at  low 
prices,  knows  liim  best,  relies  on  his  friendly  obsequiousness,  aud 
refers  t(^  him  in  furtherance  of  his  own  ends,  and,  perhaps,  for  bet- 
ter injury  to  his  most  hated  competitors.  Postmasters,  postmis- 
tresses, and  medical  doctors,  whose  names  are  readily  found  in  the 
post-oriice  or  town  directories,  are  also  picked  out  at  random,  and 
transferred  bv  the  ai^encies  to  Avhat  they  term  their  "  (;orresi)ond- 

I/O  •/  1 

cuts'  List,"  Avhich  is  drawn  upon  when  necessary.  As  these  })rr- 
sons  act  without  pay,  their  punctuality  is  the  only  cpialitication  re- 
garded. These  arc  the  only  sourctfi  of  i<>i pjyh/ jw^'inei^sed or  us>:(l  hij  tin 
agencies  o^itnlde  of  ]S'(}r-Yorh  and  the  larger  cities.  Their  only 
recommendation  is  their  cheapness,  for  they  cost  the  agency  no- 
thing; and  it  is  from  these  sources,  and  long  accunudationsof  their 
tinged,  muddy,  and  credit-destroying  contributions,  that  the  agen- 
cies pretend  to  dole  out,  at  from  Sl50  to  $5000  yearly,  the  elixir 
(if  a  lusty  business  life,  and  the  healing  water  of  business  sidvation  I 
The  agencies,  in  fact,  do  not  know  the  people  inquired  al)out ; 
they  do  not  know  the  persons  from  whom  they  iiKpiire  about  them  ; 
they  do  not  know,  and  can  never  learn,  except  through  the  intelli- 
gence of  a  libel-suit  or  the  crash  of  a  bankruptcy,  whether  iiv  not 
these  persons  report  falsely  or  only  a  tittle  of  the  truth;  and  it  is 
this  unrevised,  unauthenticated  hearsay  of  hearsay,  this  secret 
cloaca  of  the  most  distressed  and  desperate  of  the  comnnmity  — 
UTiiiltcred,  undeodorized,  and  infected — that  the  agencies  pretend  to 
be  the  product  of  their  paid  attaches,  examination  of  original  re- 
cords, and  the  impartial  judicial  result  of  a  process  of  searching 
examination  pursued  imder  their  own  ])ainstaking  and(  ispassioii- 
atc  supervision.  Judged  by  every  personal  test,  it  is  just  the  anti- 
thesis of  their  representations.  Indeed,  it  may  be  conceded  that 
the  agencies  could  not  do  otherwise  ;  the  expense  of  liccoming  ac- 
(piainted  by  record,  and  keeping  acquainted  weekly,  even  with  the 
fluctuations  of  business  men  in  the  city  of  Xew-York  alone,  would 
exhaust  the  resources  of  the  strongest  agency.     It  is  not  attempt- 


20 


TIIH   COMMKltCTAL    AOEXCIES. 


L!(l ;  it  cuiiM  not  1»l'  cllVctcil,  if  :ittLiii[)t('il,  by  It-r-s  than  a  million  of 
(!a}»ital,  CMiitiiifd  to  a  sinulo  city  ;  and  lioncL'  the  second  radical  and 
iiiHUrnii>iintMl)io  diiliculty  I'csiilts,  as  mo  liavo  n(jt(Ml,  in  not  alone  a 
necoHsarily  vairno  and  indetiiiitc,  l>nt  a  j)r<_!Jiidiced,  passionate,  and 
])nr('ly  liM[)lia/,ard  expression  <.if  \vliat  one  person,  with  motives  all 
.  nnkiiown  to  the  aironcies,  says  of  one  or  more  other  persons,  Avitli 
means  or  diai-acter  nnkiiown  to  the  aijency  or  its  otKee  employees, 
M'ho  cook  the  hooks  and  dish  np  tin;  I'eports.  The  work  of  rcvis- 
\u<s;  the  financial  standing  and  credit  of  the  husiness  men  of  the 
United  States  and  (.anada,  which  Diui,  IJarlow  S:  Co.  claim  to  ho 
done  hy  theii' own  travellers /'^;/?/'  tnne.-^a  i/i(>i\  so  nsto  render  their 
(jnarterly  reference-hook  of  some  value,  would  re([uire  the  aid  of 
142-I-  men  c<))ixt(i))thj  cti\ph)ijed  ca  fr(tvr//!/iy/ reportei'ii  onhj.  Tf  their 
entii'o  stalT"  of  paid  employees  (numherin^less  than  HOi)),  from  crrand- 
bovs  to  nianairers,  in  all  their  branches  in  America,  worked  in  that 
cai)acity  twelve  months  in  the  year,  a  ju  r'uxl  of  not  h'ssihitn  thrci' 
(■iiitsfctitii'r  ijedi'K  III  list  cJajm'-  before  ihcalfalrsof  each  trader  could 
nnderiro  a  sinu'le  ])ersonal  investi^-ation  !  During  all  this  time  their 
offices  should  be  deserted  and  closed,  and  the  work  of  soliciting 
Bubscriptions  wholly  al)andoned.  The  samoargument  is  relatively 
ti'uc  of  the  other  aii-cncies,  Ik'sides  these  inherent  difficulties,  the 
avarice  of  the  ])roprietors  of  the  agencies,  assisted  and  encouraged 
by  the  indilference  or  gullil)ility  of  the  trading  public,  has  fastened 
several  additional  causes  of  difficulty  and  embarrassment  on  the 
original  project.  The  jMiJjllcation  ami  f<((h\  for  profit,  of  ye;,  "ly, 
half-yearly,  and  rpiarterly  reference-hooks,  is  one  of  the  first  and 
v.-(M'st  of  these.  This  is  a  \)\i\\\\  temptation  to  the  dishoTiest  or 
doubtful  trader  to  secure  the  agency  for  his  own  ])urposes,  i:i'nie<: 
he  'is  aj>/»'/.s>-d  of  what  he  is  rakd  at,  and  is  naturally  anxious  to 
ju'opitiate  the  critic  of  his  solvency,  or  actively  mislead  the  impugn- 
er  of  his  integrity.  When  the  rating  is  an  agreeable  surprise, 
the  trader  naturally  encourages  the  enterprise.  When  it  ia  not 
favorable,  he  sets  to  work  to  make  it  so  by  projiitiating  the  pre- 
tended arbiters.  Failing  in  this,  by  oversight  or  otherwise,  in  one 
year,  ho  turns  to  the  publications  of  some  of  the  c'>'npeting  agen- 
cies for  the  next.  The  consequence  is  seen  in  the  contradictory 
ratings  given  of  the  same  person  or  firm  by  two  or  more  agencies 
for  the  same  year  or  a  series  of  years.  When  the  ratings  are  not 
copied  from  each  other  hy  the  rival  companies,  the  fluctuations  of 


TlIK   SVSTK.M    KXrOSKI). 


a  luillioll  of 
J  radical  and 
II  iKjt  alono  a 
ssionate,  and 
li  lll()tive^^  nil 
persons,  \\'\t\\ 
a  employees, 
•ork  of  rcvis- 
■;  men  of  the 
).  claim  to  1)0 
o  render  tlieir 
ire  the  aid  of 
onli/.   Tftlicir 
),  f  roni  crrand- 
rorkod  in  that 
h'usllidn  ihrei' 
•h  trader  could 
this  time  their 
k  of  soliciting 
it  is  relatively 
lithculties,  the 
nd  encouraged 
c,  has  fastened 
jsment  on  the 
otit,  of  yef.-ly, 
f  the  first  and 
3  dishonest  or 
mrposcs,  t^ince 
ally  anxious  to 
)d  the  impugn- 
eable  surprise, 
V^hen  it  \a  not 
iating  the  pre- 
lerwise,  in  one 
nnpeting  agen- 
0  contradictory 
more  agencies 
ratings  are  not 
fiuctuations  of 


rci»oi 


■ted  standing  and  credit  are  largely  produced  l»y  these  active 


methods  of  interference.  The  ohserver  sees  one  neiMlh;  violently 
rcL-ordin"  changes  of  direction,  while  the  other  is  iixeilly  pointing 
to  a  settled  course  of  prosperous  vc)y:iging  ;  M'hileone  pilot  shouts 
"all's  well,"  the  other  shrieks  '*  lireakers  ahead  ;"'  and  while  the  in- 
terested inniiirer  watches  the  whirling  indicator,  and  listens  in  doiilit 
and  amazement  to  the  con  fusing  assurances,  ho  become.--  only  ceilain 
of  one  thing — that  ho  has  learned  nothing  more  valualde  than  his 
conviction  that  "all  hands,"  exce[)t  himself  and  others  linaiicially 
intei'csted  in  the  outcome  of  the  venture,  arc  I)usily  and  ]trolitalily 
occupied  in  trading  on  its  purely  s[)eculative  featui'cs.  As  a  pru- 
dent man  he  will  trust  to  neither  ;  as  a  cautious  man  lie  will  trca- 


su 


as   ho 


tlu 


le  wil 


takt!  care 


ire  his  experience  in  ins  own  hreast 
not  to  attract  attention  to  his  discovery,  hut  leave  the  public  to  liiid 
oiit  the  secret  for  themselves  by  a  saddening  realization  of  the  as- 
sault on  their  judgment  and  pockets.  He  may  be  pleased  to 
read  the  truth  in  these  pages:  but  if  he  be  wanting  in  pui)lic  spirit 

id  a  leek-cater,  h(!  will  renew  his  subscription  and  buy  the  next 


ai 


reference-book 


ind  the  airencies  w 


/ill  i 


>•(>  on  111 


akiiiii; 


JT  moiicv  iiv  the 


yearly  traffic  in  the  fears  or  credulity  of  the  trading  public. 

Another  indication  of  the  determined  greed  of  the  agencies, 
and  one  also  largely  injurious  and  destructive  to  any  ])olicy  of 
learning  the  true  standing  of  business  men,  is  the  development  of 
Collection  bureaux  in  connection  with  them,  and  owned  and  coii- 
tr(»lled  by  them.  .1.  !^^.  Ih'adstreet  &  Son,  alone,  have  not  yet 
adopted  this  specialty.  The  subscriber  who  entrusts  his  « laims  lo 
the  agency  for  collection  adcei'tl.ses,  hij  tto  )iii(c/i,  /a'.s-  ihtnlttful  or 
rahu'less  O'eclits I  suffers  from  having  them  placed  in  the  hands  of 
the  clica[)est,  least  expert  and  self-respectful  lawyer,  such  a-  we 
have  indicated  ;  and  in  very  many  instances,  in  the  hands  of  the 
attorney  recommended  to  the  agency  by  the  creditor's  debtor,  or 
only  self-introduced  to  the  agencies  by  liis  own  iiece->Ities  and 
want  of  responsibility.  Friendly  delays,  ineflicient  prosecution, 
the  need  of  em])loying  additional  counsel  in  ease  of  litigation,  are 
a  few  of  the  earlier  consefjuences  to  the  creditor.     The  larcr  ones 


an 


are  :  compromises,  cooked  up  by  a  man  capable  of  hecomi 
eavesdroj)])er  on  his  neighbor  for  the  mere  love  of  the  employment, 
and,  therefore,  capable  of  being  bribed  to  })roduco  them  ;  liank- 
ruptcies  precipitated,  in   which  the  attorney,  as  attorney  for  the 


22 


TIIK    COMMKllCIAr,   AGKXCIKS. 


iiioviiii;  creditor,  will  bo  \)iiid  out  of  tlio  i/ib/»i'{i  estate  threu  or 
live  times  us  much  as  he  could  liiive  collected  from  his  client,  the 
creditor,  in  case  of  c(;llectiii<i;  the  full  inuount  of  the  claim  ;  or  a 
return  of  the  claims,  i)articularly  if  unli(iiiidaled,  with  the  pur- 
chased a>suraiu'e  that  they  would  cost  more  than  they  are  wor'' 
Tlie  scheme  of  collecti(»n,  however,  allliou;;-h  of  no  value  to  en 
tors,  e\ce[)t  in  cases  whore  the  debt(jr  is  eager  to  pay,  and  the 
Jaiii-hing-stock  of  tho  l)ar  in  every  other  ease,  serves  ono  purpose 
for  the  aifcncy.  It  enahles  them  to  call  on  the  attorney,  who 
liopcs  to  secure  any  cliance  patrouai^e  which  they  may  have  to 
dis[)ense,  for  Ids  opinion  of  any  citi/eii  in  his  vicinity,  suddenly  in- 
cpiircd  about,  and,  as  it  costs  iiothiui;,  this  is  reason  enough  with 
the  agencies  for  its  introduction  and  existence.  Its  damaging  in- 
ihu'nce  to  the  selling  classes  is  easily  traced.  Whom  this  incom- 
])etenl  and  always  unintluential  limb  of  the  law  is  ac([uainted  with 
personally  or  through  the  mediiun  of  a  doKo  nr  are  discovered  to 
be  rated  far  above  their  means;  whom  ho  dislikes  or  is  not  on 
])rolitable  relations  with,  are  marked  down  ;  aiul  the  business  pub- 
lic liave  to  bear  the  consequences  of  the  latest  devices  of 
agencies  to  secure  tho  o2)inion  of  the  only  man  in  tho  coiumu 
who  sets  no  value  t>n  his  pretended  knowledge  except  ii'hat  he 
can  laahe  out  of  It  hij  uidu'eetioii.  "  Like  muster  like  man."  Why 
shonhl  he  trouble  himself,  for  a  possibility  of  i)atronuge,  to  ac- 
(piire  by  a  laborious  search  tho  true  resoxircos  of  a  merchant,  when 
lie  knows  that  the  agency,  Avhich  receives  immense  remuneration, 
docs  not  condescend  to  payout  any  portion  in  securing  it^  IIo 
forwards  his  gratuitous  guess,  or  his  bribed  opinion;  finds  satis- 
factioJi  in  gratifying  a  spite  or  making  a  point  for  a  crony;  and 
turns  to  negotiate  for  some  lire  or  life  insurance  company,  which 
might  occupy  the  talents  or  reward  tho  industry  not  illustrated  so 
much  in  contests  in  court  as  in  applications  to  the  Governor  for 
vacant  notaryships,  or  in  wire-pullings  for  some  justicc-of-the- 
pcace  noniiiuition. 

We  have  sketched  the  Intrinsic  difficulties  in  the  way  of  tho 
nsefidness  (^f  any  mercantile  or  connncrcial  agencies  whatever ; 
indicated  the  accidental  impediments  to  usefulness  added  by  the 
avarice  of  their  mamigers;  and  cleared  the  road  for  that  detailed 
and  more  searching  analys^is  of  their  Interior  workings  which  it  will 
be  the  province  of  the  following  cha2)tcrs  to  enforce  by  precept 
and  example. 


TllK  SYSTEM   i;xi'osi;i». 


23 


(iUAPTEU  IV. 


WHAT  TIIK  AOKXC'IKS  IJHCKIVK  ■  WHAT  THFA'  DO  Foil  IT.  AND 
HOW  IT  IS  DONM.  now  TIIEV  THRIVE  WITHOUT'  DKSKUVINO. 
"TIIK   lIKAl/ni-LIFT,"  AND  "  MOTII-EXTERMINATOI!." 

Tin:  three  iiifeiu'ies,  J.  M,  1 5  n  id  street  sS:  Si.ii,  ^^(■l^ill()p  i*v: 
S]>rafi;;iie  Co.,  iiiut  Dun,  Biirlow  iSc  Co.,  liaviui^  tlu'ir  priiicipiil 
ollices  ill  Xe\v-Y()i'k,  elaiiii,  t(ii;vtlier,  .S(»iiio  l.')!)  l)raii('li  oMice.s  in 
tlie  riiited  States  iiiid  Canada.  Kacli  endeavors  to  .«tart  as  nmny 
.'-ell'-sn[)portin^  and  pajini^  l)i"aiu'Iies  as  it  can  ;  neither  ever  con- 
tinues a  losini;  branch  "for  tlie  promotion  of  t"  ide,"' tliat  is,  the 
advantai^'e  of  snbserihers  in  other  phices.  In  all  liic  principal  cities 
the  a^jjencies  are  fonnd  competing  for  local  snbscriptions  ;  in  those 
of  .small  ])opnlation  they  sometimes  try  tho  experiment,  hut  desist 
when  the  receipts  fail  to  justify  the  ex'ix'nse.  The  three  institu- 
tions extract  nearly  $8,000,000  yearly  from  the  merchants,  manu- 
facturers, and  traders  of  hotli  countries. 

This  enormous  drain  on  tho  resources  of  the  hnsiness  com- 
munity lias  not  been  going  on  for  more  than  a  few  years;  hut  it  is 
safe  to  say  that  since  ISil  more  than  $60,000,000  have  heen  col- 
lected hy  the  present  agencies  or  their  predecessors  in  the  same 
line  of  clTort.  Allowing  for  the  payment  of  salaries,  printing  re- 
ports, rents,  etc.,  a  net  profit  of  between  820,000,000  and  ,$o0,000,- 
000  must  have  lieen  received  and  divided  among  the  projirietors  ! 

One  would  expect  to  find  sonic  very  heavy  Items  of  dislmrso- 
ment  for  procuring  the  information  which  produces  this  roval 
revenue.  Surprise  will  become  wonder  when  we  assert  that,  out- 
side of  the  city  of  New- York,  where  reporting  ami  subscription- 
getting  go  hand-indiand,  tho  agencies,  together,  have  not  .spent 
$r)0,0(i()  for  collecting  information  which  they  dispense  Avitli  such 
magnificent  pndit,  and  that  even  this  sum  was  largely  spent  in  tho 
effort  to  get  subscribers,  and  not  a  dollar  of  it,  purely  and  simply,  to 
learn  the  business  standing  of  business  men !     In  other  words,  the 


24 


THE   COMMEUCIAL   AGEN'CIKS. 


Avliolo  uiin  and  ol)joct  of  the  agencies  arc  to  expend  only  to  profit 
tliemselves,  and  they  care  notliing  for  the  acqnisition  of  true  and 
iisefnl  information,  if  it  must  he  costiy,  for  its  own  sake.  Their 
expense;  are  incidental  to  the  receipt  and  dishnrseinent  of  their 
revenue  :  nothing,  or  next  to  nothing,  is  ap})Hed,  outside  of  Kew- 
^'ork  and  the  i>rincipal  cities,  to  earning  or  deserving  it.  If  a 
Bul)scril)er  wants  definite  intelligence,  he  must  pay  for  telegraph- 
ing: the  agencies  "will  only  pay  fur  postage  if  the  applicant  can 
afford  to  wait  ivoni  Ji'oe  to  thlrtij  days  fo'-  an  answer  by  mail. 
Whatever  they  can  get  for  nothing  they  sell ;  what  they  would 
he  reipiired  to  i)ay  for  is  never  purchased. 

For  iuftanee,  if  II.  H.  Shufeldt  &  Co.,  of  Chicago,  or  Smith, 
Angus  &  Co.,  of  ]\[ilwankee,  desire  to  inquire  about  the  credit  and 
standinicof  ^[.  J.  (^unnninijs  or  Irwin  <k;  Sloan,  m-ain  merchants 
in  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  the  agency-'s  part  in  supplying  the  infoi'ination 
entails  an  expenditure  of  exactly  12  cents,  I'lie  ajqilication  is 
first  made  to  the  Chicago  or  Milwaukee  offices,  which  pay  each 
from  $50,000  to  $70,000  yearly  profit  on  sul)scriptions  alone  ;  cither 
oflicc  posts  a  letter  to  the  Syracuse  branch,  which  office  either  re- 
plies by  retui'ning  the  information  on  its  record  (which  may  be  one 
ormore  years  old),  or  n1ails;i  (piery  to  E.  M.  Fort,  the  nnpai<l  Oswego 
correspondent,  whose  ])arti(ndar  qualilication  iov  answering  is  that 
he  is  a  coal  dealer,  doiuir  business  only  as  aurent,  haviiiir  recently 
no  business  of  his  own,  for  reasons  currently  undcrstooth  If  the 
letter  is  sent  to  I-'ort,  he  replies  at  his  leisure  to  the  Syracuse 
office,  Avliich,  in  turn,  mails  its  opinion  of  ]\[r.  Fort's  o])inion,  con- 
cealing his  name,  to  the  Chicago  or  ^Milwaukee  branch,  as  the  case 
may  have  been.  After  this  pilgrim's  progress  the  ivUe  result  is 
communicated  to  the  original  in(piii'er,  who  meantime  may  have 
had  the  luck  to  either  have  lost  a  good  customer  or  to  have  escaped 
the  i)ossil)ility  of  beinii"  deceived  into  trustini;'  a  bad  one.  In  this 
process,  it  must  be  ajtparent  to  the  reader,  that  the  agency  would  not 
presmnc!  to  inquire  from  a  person  or  firm  of  first-class  business 
principles,  and  only  imposes  the  loss  of  time  on  one  whom  they 
liayc  already  favoreil  beyond  his  deserts,  i.r  Avho  expects  they  Avill 
do  so.  This  illustrates  the  role  of  the  commercial  A''o]unteer  cor- 
respondent. 

Xow  let  US  take  the  course  ])ursued  in  the  instance  of  the  At- 
torney-deteetiye-correspondent,   whose  solo  compensation    is    the 


THE   SYSTEAE   EXPOSED. 


25 


to  profit 
tnu;  and 
L>.  Their 
t  of  llieir 
:  of  Xcw- 

it.  If  u 
telegraph- 
lieaiit  can 
•  by  mail, 
icy  wonltl 


]ioj)o  of  having  claims  sent  to  him  for  collection,  and  l.icing  repre- 
sented by  the  agency  as  the  most  reliable  and  brightest  legal  liuni- 
narv  of  that  neighi)orhood.  Su])[)osc  Richardson  6c  Co.,  of  St. 
Louis,  or  A.  Thomson  A:  (*o.,  of  Xew-Orloans,  or  Drexel,  ^Foi-gan 
A:  Co.,  Eaton  ct  Cole,  and  J.  M.  Thorbnrn  ik  Co.,  of  Xew-York, 
in(pn're  in  the  Xew-York  or  local  ofHces  for  the  antecedents  of 
}.[:irtin  F.  Hraistod  vfc  (.'o.,  l)aid<;ers,  Xew-York  (!ity,  and  it  tran- 
spires that  one  of  that  linn  formerly  lived  in  Westchester  County, 
X.  Y.,  the  agency  di'o])s  a  letter  (retm'n  postage,  <>  cents')  to  James 
P.  Sanders,  of  Yonkers,  X.  Y.,  f/i/tr  reliable  attorney  and  legal 
hmiinary  aforesaid,  who,  in  r('])ly,  retails  whatever  the  gliltbest 
touii'ue  may  tell  him  or  the  least  labo"ious  investimition  mav 
result  in.  Of  course,  an  examination  of  the  comity  records  i^  not 
tliouglit  of,  nor  is  any  other  source  than  rumor  consulted;  for 
remitted  daiiiis  are  few  and  far  between  in  Yonkers,  and  shoe- 
leather  must  be  saved  for  respectable  intermittent  a[)pearaiiccs  in 
justice  courts. 

,Iur-t  here  it  is  proper  to  ad'l  that  the  agencies'  habit  of 
re.'ommendation  cuts  Ixitli  wavs.  Xo  attorncv  is  rcconunendcil 
to  subscribers  or  others  wlio  is  not  a  correspondent,  although  the 
agency  will  imblushingly  deny  the  fact,  and  the  iuiiuirer  is 
refused  the  opportunity  of  choosing  the  generally  better  and  al)ler 
Uion  at  the  local  b.n*,  who  Avill  lutt  condescend  to  resort  to  such  an 
association  f(jr  a  jiractice. 

It  may  be  said  this  course  h  not  in  accordance  with  a  true 
econ  Miiy,  for  they  must  expect  to  be  found  out  some  time,  or  be- 
come generally  discredited,  and  l)usi;iess  men  are  not  apt  to  con- 
tinue paying  for  nothing.  The  suggestion  would  have  force  if 
applied  as  a  test  to  any  business    involving  an  exchange  of  a  real 

COUIU 


lodity  whose  defects  could  and  would  be  discovered  bv 


everv 


buyer  in  everyplace;  but  it  has  no  analogy  to  the  case  of  an 
enterprise  which ^w.s'^v.sw'.s"  t/ie  coi rciiy  jioti^ir  of  valouj  <  rcrij  iiiii.ii 
ni  ijie  ('oiiuniintti/  as  Its  iiianci'/i'i's  or  cUrly^^  nvty  fire  f/'f. 

To  fully  understand  the  agencies  wo  must  alwaysbear  this  fact 
in  mind: — that  they  practice  an  exceptiona'  bu>iiie>;.  witli  excep- 
tional means  of  alfecting  the  ])urse  or  the  i)rid('  of  cxcrv  man 
whose  name  they  choose  to  put  into  print.  To  ap]n-eciatc  the 
conseiiuences  wo  must  romcinlier  that  human  nature  is  a  limited 
(piantity,  and  that  whoever  can  do  what  the  agencies  can  do  by 


20 


TUK   COMMERCIAL    AGENCIES. 


rating  iuid  printing — to  say  ]iotliing  uf  private  reports — will  al- 
ways find  more  dupes  or  sycophants  than  assailants. 

If  a  dozen  palpable  errors  arc  discovered  in  tlie  reports  by  a 
Imsiness  man  in  an  interior  town,  he  concludes  that  they  occur 
through  the  partiality  or  cupidity  of  the  local  correspondent — 
objects  to  apply  the  experience  to  the  ■whole  iield  of  agency  re- 
porting— and  determines  that,  since  error  and  falsehood  are  so  easily 
passed  for  truth  and  accuracy,  he  had  better  join  the  enterprise, 
and  purchase  a  favorable  rating  or  guard  against  an  arrantly  false 
one.  He  docs  not  l»uy  or  sell  on  the  agency  dicta  ;  but  he  de- 
termines to  join  the  vast  array  of  approved  souls  •whom  ho  finds 
tranft^lated  by  a  sul)Scrii)tion  into  the  higher  heaven  of  business 
beatification,  and  to  avoid  the  fate  of  the  less  thoughtful  and 
prudent,  "who  are  sent  to  the  lindjo  of  mercantile  discredit. 

The  errors  of  the  agencies  in  this  m:inner,  far  from  being  de- 
terrents to  patronage,  are  most  nrgent  and  active  inducements  to 
patronage.  Thousands  of  honest  and  reliable  men  subscribe  in 
self-defence;  other  thousands  subscribe  for  utilizing  the  aids 
which  sncli  a  system  supplies  to  contemplated  fraud.  Between  both 
classes,  the  lists  increase  Avith  a  growing  rapidity,  and  the  example 
is  only  lost  on  the  strongest  minds  Oi  the  strongest  capitalists. 
Su])pose  a  business  man  is  convinced  of  the  inutility  of  tin;  insti- 
tutions, and  carefully  avoids  contributing  to  them.  They  rate 
him  notwithstanding.  They  rate  his  competitors.  At  some  point 
liis  interests  will  be  found  to  conflict  Avith  his  opinions.  The 
agencies  have  an  additional  subscriber,  if  not  a  couA'crt. 

Another  consideration  is  also  operative.  As  business  fraud  is 
best  effected  Ity  means  of  a  credit-giving  agency  Avhich  ^>;'t'^trtf/.s' 
to  be  indifferent,  and  circulates  largely  Avhere  applicants  are  otlier- 
Avise  unknoAvn,  the  knave  and  swindler  IcnoAv  Avhere  to  find  an 
ally  under  the  mask  of  an  enemy.  Their  oAvn  opinion  of  them- 
selves Avould  not  iro  far  or  vield  fruitfullv.  A  single  false  repre- 
sentation  might  cut  short  a  career  of  ioguery  by  giving  occasion 
and  justification  for  an  order  of  arrest  and  puHlug  in  of  bail.  If 
the  rogue  can  keej)  his  tongue  quiet,  and  have  an  agency  to  do  his 
talking,  the  danger  is  averted;  opportunities  arc  multi[ilicd  ;  and 
a  scheme,  Avhlch  might  otherwise  be  rendered  futile  after  a  single 
effort,  in  a  single  city  or  town,  is  enableil  to  achieve  an  elaborate 
and  far-reaching  failure  Avith  comparative  inmiunity. 

It  may  well  be  doubted  Avhether  any  plan  Avas  ever   devised 


(    ill   IL 


THE   SYSTEM    EXPOSED. 


-will  ul- 

)rts  by  a 
cy  occur 
ondent — 
^•eney  re- 
:;  so  easily 
iiterpriso, 
utly  false 
lit  he  de- 

ho  tinds 
f  business 
litful  and 
lit. 

being  de- 
eiaents  to 
bsci-ibo  in 

the  aids 
;ween  both 
le  example 
capitalists, 

the  insti- 

riicy  rate 
:souie  point 
ions.     The 


appealing  to  so  many  of  the  worst  and  lowest  human  motives  at 
oncL'.  The  quack-medicine  business  proceeds  on  one  principal 
national  weakness :  tlie  known  peculiarity  that  almost  every  one 
considers  himself  or  herself  ailing,  in  some  way,  in  a  country 
whose  prevailing  sickness  is  dyspepsia  and  the  attendant  hypo- 
chondriacal affections.  The  patent-right  fever  appeals  to  the  well- 
knovn  traditions  (tf  suddenly  accpiired  wealth,  by  means  of  even 
simple  inventions  in  an  era  of  inventions.  Tlie  Xew-England 
(genealogical  I'ureau  was  never  a  real  success,  although  it  llattered 
family  pride  in  a  jKUticuIarly  sensitive  portion  of  the  country, 
anxious,  somewhat,  to  compete  with  the  untabulated  pedigrees  of 
the  Southern  chivalries.  But  the  agencies  touch  the  weak,  the 
vindictive,  the  unscrupulous,  in  their  greeds,  their  fears,  their 
rivalries,  their  passions,  their  hopes  of  betterment,  their  anxieties 
to  guard  against  loss,  and,  at  every  j)oint,  present  an  inducement  or 
excite  a  sense  oi  danger  or  insecurity. 

Deeply  considered,  the  wonder  is,  not  that  they  have  succeed- 
ed so  greatly  in  procuring  wealth  from  the  community,  but  that, 
assisted  I»y  the  supineiiess  of  their  victims  and  the  prevailing  love 
of  ease,  they  have  not  yet  ])assed  beyoiul  the  pale  of  damaging 
criticism  and  deserved  and  adequate  ex[)osure. 

AVhatever  may  be  thought  of  the  agencies,  their  own  conduct 
betrays  a  consciousness  of  weakness.  Their  latest  device  to  give 
something  for  notlung  is  apt  and  illustrative.  They  have  caught 
at  the  conceit  of  ii  Kealth  Intelligence  ].>ureau,  whereby  insurance 
agencies  and  others  may  learn  the  condition  of  health  of  any  per- 
son in  a  neighbm'hood  for  two  dollars — one  for  the  agency  and  one 
for  the  medical  diagnoser.  This  snudl  sum,  we  are  to  suppose,  in- 
sures valual)le  medical  information — as  valuable  in  proportion  as 
any  furnished  in  regard  to  men's  commercial  standing.  The  reader 
can  conceive  the  social  an<l  medical  "  i-ating"  of  a  doctor  whose 
restricted  practice  or  estimate  of  the  value  of  his  own  o[)iuion  in- 
duces him  to  examine,  certify,  and  report  a  patient  for  one  dollar, 
ami  can  also  approximate  the  caution  of  an  insurance  company  which 
Would  accept  a  life  risk  on  the  recommendation  of  so  cheap-priced 
and  renu)te  an  yKscuIai)ius.  "All  premiums,  no  responsibility" 
must  be  the  motto  and  pin-pose  of  such  a  com])any,  just  as  "all 
subscriptions  and  no  accountability"  is  the  true  shibboleth  of  the 
agencies.  The  I'evenue  derived  from  this  experiment  is  not  large, 
however,  and   we  oidy  allude  to  the  matter  to  show  the  mean 


28 


THE   COMMKllCIAL   AGKXCIKS. 


uiiuutenes.-;  uf  rapacity  wliicli  uctuatcrf  tlio  pi)lii-}--in:ikor.s  of  llie 
institiitunirf.  \\y  ii  iiatiinil  kc'(|Uciicc,  projoets  known  to  their  au- 
tliorri  to  l)e  ]io]l(»w  and  unsubstantial  are  constantly  accreting  ac- 
cessories and  lielps  to  buoyancy.  The  "seventh  sou  of  a  s-eventli 
son,  lioni  ■\vith  a  caul  "  is  the  luitui'al  progenitor  of  the  l)oy  who 
invents  an  insect-destroyer  or  becomes  a  corn-doctor,  and  su[)ple- 
nients  liis  pi'ecarious  Imsiness  by  the  sale  of  rat-paste.  Credulity 
may  have  an  end  in  one  direction:  and  it  is  the  })art  of  conscious 
insolvency  of  mvrit  to  devise  a  change  of  liase  which  may  enable 
the' old  furniture  to  Ije  ajiplicd  to  new  uses. 

F(»lIowini^  out  this  idea,  the  ''-entlemen  of  the  uiivncies  mav  in 
the  end  dnip  on  something  useful.  AVhy  M'ouhl  not  a  jnutrimonial 
bureau,  Avitli  its  tin  photos  and  ■weekly  circidar,  graced  with  cha- 
rades and  rebuses,  be  an  ai)propriate  adjunct  i  -Next  to  the  need 
of  being  mari'ied  is  the  need  of  lieiiiir  married  well.  Ibtw  niaiiv 
aspiring  widows  and  languishing  young  ladies  vould  spend  a 
dollar  or  two  privately  in  the  delusive  hope  of  exact  infornuitiou 
in  reference  to  the  all'airs  of  Mr.  Scroggs.  of  the  Swamp,  or  the  ex- 
pectations of  Adolphus  15oggs,  of  Madison  avenue  ?  Xeither  is  the 
excliange  of  love-tokens  in  hair  trinkets  and  cheaj)  jewelry"-  an 
exhausted  held  for  ])rofit.  Arrangements  for  private  interviews 
Avouhl  iustifv  extra  charges.  The  distribution  of  i>-arden-seeds 
might  also  be  adopted,  at  slight  additional  expense.  Cures  for  the 
toothache,  salves  for  wounds,  recipes  for  cooking,  phrenological 
charts,  adapted  to  any  heatl,  might  all  be  dispensed  from  the  prin- 
cipal and  branch  oflices,  with  the  special  advantage  that  the  pres- 
ent clerical  force  would  not  tind  the  employment  beyond  its  ca- 
l)acity.  As  for  fortune-telling  and  ])almistrv,  that  would  entail  the 
hiring  of  a  madam  ;  but  could  iu)t  her  salary  be  readily  })roduced 
by  rating  down  one  or  two  young  merchants  and  calling  their  at- 
tention to  the  change  i 

We  throw  out  these  hints.  They  are  suggested  by  the  i»lea  of 
the  Health  Ihireau,  or"  Health  Lift,"'  as  we  prefer  to  term  it.  If  the 
agt'ucies  have  not  determined  to  act  on  all  of  them  already,  they 
will  l)e  pleased,  we  are  sure,  at  the  appropriateness  and  timeliness 
of  our  suii'gestious. 


*  ]{}•  llio  live,  ciH  Uio.«o  inigcs  f^rt  tlirougli  tlio  props  we  find  our  idea  c.irriod 
(Hit  liy  at  loiiHt  one  njxciicy.  Duu,  Hiirlow  &  Co.  are  now  nufents  for  tlio  clieap 
Frcncli  brass  iiiul  li'iitlicr  ji-wclry  of  the  jn'rioil  ;  and  they  are  jrivcn  as  reference, 
in  a  lute  New-York  llcvidd,  on  the  eHicioucy  of  a  moth  exterminator. 


THE   SYSTEM    EXPOSED. 


2'J 


CHAPTER    Y. 

'rilE     KEYS     WHICH     UXLUCK    XOTHIXCJ— how    business    CONFI- 
DENCE  IS   llE(iULATEl). 


idea  ctirrioil 
IV  tho  choap 
iis  reference, 


I'm-;  inctlioils  a(l(>[)toil  by  tlio  agoucie.s  ti)  (lc('rea.so  tliu  cliaiiccs 


of  exposure 


of  til 


icir  ii-'iioraucc  and  avarico  arc  numerous  euou::^li 


to  l)e  clas.slHeil  aiul  iK^ticcd  separately,  namely :  those  relating;;  to 
the  "key"';  tho.?e  adopted  in  the  printin^•  of  their  (Quarterly,  half- 
yearly,  or  yearly  reference-books;  and  those  interposed  by  the  de- 
ce]>tive  form  of  contract  made  v.'ith  subscribers.  "We  shall  devote 
a  iittinii'  space  to  each  in  turn. 

.\s  to  tho  lu'st  class:  the  reader  -who  will  turn  to  the  ilydi^af 
f(.)r  the  "  key"  of  the  three  au'encii'S  Avill  notice  the  exreedin;^' 
vague)Lei<s  of  the  scale  of  imputed  capital  and  the  looseiw.'i-s  of  the 
associate  alphabetic  or  munber  desii^-nation,  ni   fJiriDsi'lv 


cral.     For   instance,    the   Dun,    I'arl 


o\v 


.V'     (' 


]. 


nu'aiuiur 


«  Q 


$loO()  and  under'  of  ca})ita],  if  correctly  used,  may  convey  an 
idea  of  some  definiteness,  but  ^vhen  you  go  backwards  and  reach 
'*F,"'  !?1<>,<'00  to  B-5,000,  you  hitve  a  mai'gin  of  C'^>,'-*'>0  a-'^mihU- 
cd  v'ith  a  jrirhnuled  fact  of  ^\(),()m\  Take  '' F,"  ^l>."),(m)i)  to 
^5u,ooo,  you  llnd  a  mar<^i!i  of  donbt  epial  to  the  alleij^ation  of 
capital !  In  ''  I),''  S5i»,0i)0  to  J?l()(),()()0,  tlie  mathematical  relation 
of  the  capital  is  nut  chanj^ed ;  but  it  must  be  in  "D's"'  case  <>f 
greater  importance  to  kiujw  whether  an  amount  e^jual  to  the 
orii,dnal    $,5t>,()00    Avould    lie   forthciti 


niiiir   1 


re(|Uireil 


TI 


U-;    IS 


evidently  iu)t  the  oju'nion  of  tho  agency,  as  it  proceeds  at  once  to 


show  'u  the  verv  nex 


t  left 


er. 


a  n  If 


( 


which,  it  informs  us,  mavl)e  ri 


liel  on   anvwhere  it  is  found  in  the  book  as  showii 


I'j:  a 


aoital   of 


from  $100,000  to  8150,000  I  Xo  !  slT5,Oao  i  No  !  Si'oi),ooo  ( 
No!  but  from  8 100,000  to  62.50,000,  or  a  margin  of  doiiht  ///vVvj 
and  a  half  thnc'i  greater  than  their  pretence  of  certainty  I 

One  Avould  thitdc    this   lluctuation  of  tlu.'ir   testing   .><taiulard 
ought   t.j   satisfy    the   agency   and   aiford     it    room    and    verge 


30 


THE   COMMERCIAL   AGEXCIES. 


i 


enon^'li,  whatever  thoiiglits  it  may  evoke  in  tlieinindri  of  tl;o  .icekt'i* 
for  triitli.  Ts'ot  so.  It  pliiines  its  wings  for  a  higher  flight.  '•  .!>  " 
stands  for  8250,000  to  8500,000!  "A,"  8^00,000  to' a  million, 
and  A+  is  equal  to  "  A,"  that  is  8500,000,  but,  strange  anomaly, 
it  is  also  ecinal  to  81,000,000  and  as  many  millions  over  as  yon  like  ! 
At  this  point — A-| — the  accnrate  series  of  mathematical  progres- 
sion of  the  agency  gives  ont.  Precision  can  go  no  further.  The 
millionaire  and  the  8-0,000,00(1  inilli(jnaire  arc  "all  onu"' to  tlu; 
agency;  and  tlio  theretofore  painstaking  and  deliberately  prccisi' 
calculator  may  be  regarded  as  overcome  by  the  algcbraii;  term 
and  its  portentous  meaning,  "unlimited  credit"'!  IIow  stiMugc;  it 
is  that  the  deft  processes  of  the  mercantile  aixencv  ratiny-s  and 
those  contrived  to  express  the  higlnn' mathematical  processes  should 
yet  illustrate  the  finiteness  of  human  ingemiity.  At  onu  million 
the  agency  loses  its  power  to  calculate  capital,  or  considers  it  im- 
material Avhcther  a  man  have  one  or  a  dozen  millions  to  fall  l)ack 
on.  At  a  certain  number  in  the  trillions  I'abbage's  brass  and 
iron  calculator  ceases  to  record  logarithms,  and  indulges  in  every 
kind  of  mnnerical  freak  a-;  if  under  the  dominion  of  a  freii/v. 
But  there  is  this  dilference.  The  bi-as-^  and  iron  machine  is  nfjjtt- 
Me  of  (jb'UKj  certahiti/  /  is  overcome,  for  a  time  only,  by  some  law 
of  numl)ei"s  not  yet  discovered  ;  aiul  rctnrtix  to  accuracy  again  as 
if  animated  with  assured  conlidence  in  its  own  powers.  The 
agency,  on  the  other  hand,  glad  to  be  rid  of  even  this  wild  use  of 
its  crucial  and  metrical  standards,  at  the  iirst  decent  opportunity 
drops  them,  and  never  returns  to  their  use.  It  is  candid  for  the 
iirst  time.  It  makes  no  pretence  of  applying  them  in  the  higher 
altitudes  of  conuncrcial  life — the  very  Alps  where  the  storms 
sweep  most  destructively ;  where  the  Avild  beasts,  Speculation, 
Peculation,  and  Preach  of  Trust,  choose  their  most  inaccessible 
lairs,  ajul  from  which  pour  down  on  society  the  very  direst 
calamities  and  most  pei'inanent  disasters  ! 

To  the  rapt  vision  of  the  agency,  oiu'  million  and  over  means 
nidimited  credit;  and  yet,  if  we  consitler  of  mistakes  in  these 
higher  altitudes  of  financial  speculation,  a  single  one  alfecting 
them  would  naturally  lead  to  consecpicnces  more  to  be  deplored 
than  a  thousand  errors  in  the  ordinary  lields  of  enterprise. 

But  taking  the  limit  of  one,  million,  set  l)y  the  Agencies  as  the 
extreme  within  which  they  pretend  to  approximate  the  capital  of 


THE   SYSTEM   EXTOSKI). 


31 


comniciviiil  men,  liow  daiigcroiis  .'ind  visionary  and  liaphazani 
must  he  tlic  collection  of  sunniscs  (M1  wliicli  tliu  Agencies  ])\ise  even 
these  Avidcly  divei'i^^ent  values  I  ]Iavo  they  no  knowledge  or  data 
from  -svliich  they  could  t-afcly  conclude  the  iSlOojtOO  merchant  to 
he  o/i/y  worth  'i>Vlb,^m)  mvX  not  worth  ,Si'5(),()(Ml  ^  If  they  have, 
why  do  they  leave  the  matter  of  his  means  so  horril)ly  in  doul)t '. 
If  they  have  n<>t,  Avhat  security  has  the  public  that  the  Agency 
knows  he  controls  c\en  6n'0,0(iO  ca])ital,  or  knows  he  is  possessed 
<.f  any  i  On  an  (.drctnc  limit  of  a  (piarter  of  a  million,  they  are 
uncertain  as  to  two  thirds  of  it,  I'y  Avhat  process  of  reasoning 
are  we  assured  that,  starting  Avith  the  minimum  limit  of  sl(M),(j(i(>, 
they  know  any  more  ixisitively  Avhether  it  should  have  hcen 
!?20,()U()  or  $5(),0()()  iii.stcad  of  the  8100,000  selected?  Is  not  the 
liberal  latitude  selected  a  plain  i)roof  of  the  known  necessity  of 
adopting  it?  Is  it  lu.t  reasonable  to  argue  that,  when  they  cannot 
])rcsume  to  set  u[)  a  fuller  code  of  denominators,  and  graded  to 
express  responsibility  in  the  all-important  matter  of  capital  more 
closely  than  From  one  hundred  thousand  to  a  <piarter  of  a  nnllion, 
they  are  eijually  incapable  of  telling  us  whether  the  $10,000  inini- 
nunn  slioidd  not  have  been  SodiM),  ur  the  $5(t,()00  maximum 
should  not  have  been  s20,(j(i()  ?  ^Vhy,  between  these  extremes 
there  is,  necessarily,  in  any  given  number  of  instances,  a  demon- 
strated preponderance  of  incertitude  so  great  as  to  exclude  the  pos- 
siljility  of  safe  trading  ! 

AV^hen  we  turn  to  the  jWrtncrical  symbols  of  credit,  wo  iind 
"  confusion  worse  confounded."  I\v  referring  to  the  fly-leaf  in 
which  the  '"Keys"'  to  credit  arc  given,  it  will  1)0  seen  that  Dun, 
IJarlow  ifc  Ct).  coniinc  themselves  to  four  designations,  '*  Unlimit- 
ed Credit,"'  "  High,"  "  (Jood,"'  "  Fair,"'  and  that  these  are  modilied 
l)y  seven  nund)ers,  A  I.  1.  1  .V,  2,  2.1,  .".,  ;5A.  That  is  to  say, 
'•  Fair  ;j  "'  with  '•  :)h "'  added  is  less  than  "  Fair"' ;  '•  (rood  2  ""  with 
"  2^  "  added  is  less  than  '•  (lood  "  ;  '•  High  F'  with  «'  l.V  "  added 
is  loss  than  "High"";  and  '".V  1"'  is  without  limitation.  It  we 
consider  lli:it  '•  Jligh,"'  ''  dood,"  and  "Fair,"'  with  their  numerical 
depreciators,  can  only  represent  fieri.'n  states  of  credit,  I'anging 
from  $1000  to  $1,000,000,  we  see  at  once  that  tlie  te^s  of 
credit  are  as  lax  and  inexpressive  of  any  lixed  and  ascertained 
condition  as  are  tlio  characterizations  oi  capital.  Seven  symlxds 
to  express  the  credit  of  capitalists  ranging  from  one  thousand  dollars 


TlIK   CO.MMEIJCIAL   AGEN'CIES. 


to  one  million  or  ten  million.s  !  Four  numerals  and  three  fraclioii.s 
to  desi^niate  the  almost  iiitinife  variety  of  estimatioJi  in  wliieli  the 
possessors  of  credit  really  stand  in  the  eyes  of  the  trading;-  world  ! 
''3^-" — less  than  '"Fair"' — associated  with,  say,  "' F  "— SlO,UOO 
to  )5>2r»,(»(Ml — must  convey  the  same  meaning  as  "  oA-"  associated 
Avith  "E  ''— -^i^"),()(>0  to $50,000— or  with  "  I)  "— ?^r>0,(X)0  to  >?10(),- 
000— or  with  '•  C  "— SlOO,000  to  jS-^'^OjOl )0.  ]t  can  mean,  in  Itself  or 
its  use,  no  less  or  more  in  the  one  case  than  in  the  otliers.  The  sanie 
criticism  liolds  i;()od  in  repird  to  "  l',"'  "2.V" — "Good  "and  less 
than  "  (Jood"  — and  "  .1,"  "  IJ"-"  Ili-h,"  less"thau  "  Ilin-h  "-whid!, 
to  mean  anvthinii-.  must  mean  less  than  "iri<di''  and  not '•  (iood"  ! 
Was  ever  a  more  deceptive  and  self-confutini^  method  ado]»ted  to 
express,  or  aid  in  exjiressing',  the  grades  of  business  coniidencc  ? 
What  condition  of  credit  r(^;/,  that  he  which  is  less  than  ''High'' 
and  is  not  '*(iood*'i  which  is  less  tlian  "Ciood"  and  is  not 
"  F'air  "  (  which  is  less  than  '"  Fair  ''  and  not  nnworthy  of  credit  i 

P)ut  these  self-confusing  and  self-convicting  syndjols  are  not 
oidy  absurd  on  their  face  :  they  are  rendered  supremely  ridiculous 
when  it  is  considered  that  they  pretend  to  bo  the  product  of  pro- 
cesses of  reasoning  from  such  complex  and  involved  dc/u  as  tlie 
jyersonal  habits  of  traders,  or,  as  McKillop  &  Sprague  Co.  express 
it,  "  the  chai-acter  and  habits  of  each  member  of  a  firm  ;  the 
'' nature  oi  the  business,  hazardous  or  otherwise;  business  capa- 
■  city  and  promptness  in  payment;    capital  or  worth  in  ji/'ojfor- 


-.£.      " 


T 


o 


"  tioii  to  business  done,  and  negotiability  of  acceptance: 
carry  out  the  load  of  this  exacting  announcement,  Mclvillop  A: 
Spraguo  Co.  call  in  the  aid  of  a  double  line  of  symbols,  and  in- 
stead of  the  adjective  of  num1)er  "less,"  alTected  by  Dun,  ]>arlow 
A:  Co.,  use  the  adverb  "  very,"  to  give  point  to  "High,"  "  Good," 
"Fair,"  etc.  Ihit  phrases  do  not  change  things,  and  we  illustrate 
this  truth  by  asking  what  e(ni  be  the  state  of  a  trader  who  vV  iu 
"  very  iugli,"  and  not  in  "  vuf/oultec?,'"'  credit,  and  who  /.y  in 
"good,"  and  not  iu  "  very  good,"  credit  ;  who  -/*'  in  "  ver?/  good," 
and  not  in  "  high,"  credit ;  who  t-s  "  fair  for  small  lines,"  and  vot 
"  a  Fair  Business  risk"  iri  those  lines  (  Is  not  a  jierson  in  "good 
credit "  a  fair  business  risk  ?  Is  not  a  person  in. "  high  credit "  in 
"  verv  crood  "  credit  ?  "Where  does  his  title  to  the  one  begin  and 
to  the  other  end  ?  Can  it  be  rationally  pretended  that  a  distinc- 
tion so  purely  artilicial  and  gossamer  in  import  is  founded  on  a 


TIIK   SYSTEM    EXPOSED. 


discovered  balance  of  proliability  of  cvedit  arising  from  a  calcnla- 
tioii  (.»f  the  always  variant  habits  of  various  members  of  a  lirni, 
their  resi»ective  ca[iacities,  tlie  constantly  cliani^'in:,^  hnzardoiisness 
of  tlieir  business,  and  the  no  less  eonstantly  cliani^iiin'  /irnjnirfloa 
of  capital  and  worth  compared  with  the  business  done  '.  Of  tlu't'C 
members  of  a  firm,  one  is  abstemions,  anotlier  drinks,  a  tliird  jilays 
poker  at  evening  parties.  Does  the  alistemioe.s  man  ncntralize 
the  ])oker-player,  or  the  drinking  man  neutralize  llic  aI)>temious'i 
From  the  coiitlict  of  eharacteristies,  what  is  the  linal  resultant — 
the  true  nipiit  ),i(>ri>nuib  of  the  seers  anil  alchemists  of  the 
Agencies  \ 

Go  a  step  further:  ^fcKillop  ct  Spragne  Co.,  and  \\w  oflier 
Agencies  as  well,  although  not  on  their  title-pages,  assure  ns,  or  de- 
sire us  to  lie  a>sure<l,  that  evt'ry  '•  dc'lieieney"'  in  good  habits  of 
every  mendier  of  a  lirm,  every  deficiency  arising  from  vai'iou.s 
kinds  of  trading  in  the;  sense  of  increase  of  hazard,  every  modili- 
cation  or  departures  from  effective  business  cai)acity,  every  change 
in  the  proportion  of  capital  to  trading  done,  is  recognised  and  al- 
loioed  for  in  a[)plying  these  few  designations  to  tra<lei's.  The  pro- 
blem now  becomes  more  intricate  :  ''  allowed  for"'  as  well  I 

A  few  letters  and  tigures  are  (le(dared  ejual  to  the  work  of 
conveying  the  Avisest  eoncdusion  to  lie  draAvn,  not  alone  from  varia- 
tions of  habits,  of  capacity,  of  idsk,  of  c.iiiital,  not  in  a  few  cases, 
but  ill  (iver  800,000  ca-'es,  although,  as  we  have  just  shown,  thesame 
letters  and  figures  are  incapable  of  conveying  any  (dear  idea  of  one 
man's  credit  so  as  ti)  distinguish  it  "  less  than  higli.'"  and  not 
'•good";  less  than  "good,"  and  not  "fair'';  "' gDod."'  and  not 
"  very  good,"  and  not  ''  high,"'  credit.  In  the  sinalUst  town  the 
wisest  trader  makes  bad  debts.  In  tlie  same  city  and  strecit  the 
most  alert  speculator  in  others''  credits  gets  taken  in.  Of  (,ne  hnn- 
tlred  individuals  exercising  their  ])ersonal  judgment  at  its  bc>st,  all 
are  daily  more  or  less  mistaken,  and  a  large  perceiitag,'  a:reatlv  <le- 
ceived,  in  business  tran-actions  and  prognostications.  \nt\  vet 
the  Ageindes  have  the  elfiontery,  and  their  whole  theorv  of  la^'ht 
to  exist  is  based  ou  the  presumption,  to  (daim  that  their  fe\v  \-aguo 
phrases  are  a  substitute  for  the  aggregate  business  varieties  of  opi- 
nions and  judgment  of  all  the  business  men  of  the  Stat(;s  and  ('a- 
nada,  and  are  sufficient  for  tlie  purpose  of  eff(!ctually  advising  the 
business  community  whether  eight  hundred  thousand  traders,  mer- 


3 


r 


mfm 


mm 


34 


THE  COMMERCIAL   AGENCIES. 


)J 


chants,  a'.jil  mamifiictiirors  aro  in  credit,  what  kind  of  credit  they 
arc  in  from  day  today,  and  to  distinguish  its  shades  and  liuctnations 
with  sufHcient  accnracy  for  wisely  inlluencing  and  controlling  dis- 
])o.sitioiis  of  property! 

We  have  seen  the  wm'thlcssncss  of  these  Keys  of  capital  and 
Keys  to  cn'dit  separately.  Do  they  acipiiro  a  new  virtue  l»y  he- 
ing  pnt  alongside  each  other  and  attached  to  a  name  i 

Separately  they  arc  indefinite  and  nnmeaning  criteria.  ]*ut- 
ting  them  together  only  multiplies  their  indetinitencss  and  induces 
greater  perplexity.  AVhat  can  be  nnderstood  of  a  man  with  from 
!i5i2r>,Oi)(»  to  i^.'JOjOnO  capital  who  is  in  '•  good,''  and  not  in  "  very 
good,"  credit  i  Is  he  tit  to  he  trusted  to  the  extent  of  $5000 
or  $JO,oOo,  more  or  less,  because  of  the  credit  rating  indicating 
the  one  condition  and  not  the  other?  or,  indicating  either,  does 
the  indication  denote  that  his  credit  as  to  cai)ital  should  be  ex- 
hausted at  •[  presumption  of  $20,000  and  not  at  a  presum])tion  of 
§50,0(10  (  i  low  can  any  sensible  conclusion  be  drawn  from  the  fact 
that  a  iirm  i-ated  "  C  "—$100,000  to  $250,000  capital— is  rated  at 
"  very  go(>tl,"  and  not  at "  high,"  credit  'i  Does  the  donbtf  ul  $150,- 
000  of  capital  bear  any  secret  relation  or  give  any  particnlar  signifi- 
cance to  the  one  credit  rating  and  not  to  the  other  i  Is  not  the 
expre-^ed  ])ossil)ility  of  a  capital  even  twice  as  large  as  the  pre- 
sumed capital  sutticient  to  convert  "very  good"  into  "high" 
credit,  or  vire  versa  ?  If  not,  why  not  ?  (Jne  wonld  think  that 
a  man  "■  very  good  "  with  $100,000  woidd  be  in  "  high  "  cred- 
it with  $200,000,  higher  with  $250,000.  The  Agencies  know 
better.  They  can  tell  ns  juxt  'w/wii  a  person  having  a  capital 
of  from  $500,000  to  $1,000,000  is  in  "  very  high "  credit,  and 
just  when  he  is  in  '"  undoubted  "  credit,  when  with  $100,000  to 
$250,000  ho  is  just  less  than  "  higli "'  and  not  "  good."  If  this  be 
not  a  claim  of  measuring  water  accurately  with  a  sieve  ;  of  produc- 
ing certainty,  or  an  approximation  to'it,  by  increasing  the  elements 
of  uncertainty  ;  of  regulating  business  conlidenees  by  enlarging 
the  doubt-producing  combinations  whose  fewness  is  the  only 
possible  basis  for  even  prophecy,  wo  do  not  know  what  to  call 
it.  The  Bradstreet  "  Key,"  with  its  93  letters  and  80  figures,  is 
better  graded  to  represent  presumed  fact  than  cither  of  the  other 
two  ;  but  it  does  not  pretend  to  give  ca))ital,  avoids  estimates  en- 
tirely, and  is  not  applied  with  any  regularity  to  even  thcf^tatesof 


THE  SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


.;.> 


ciivumstfinees  indicated  l)y  tin-  '•  Key"  itself.  Of  cnnrso,  the  sys- 
tem proceeds  on  the  siunc  inexact  infonnatioii  and  niisinforniation. 
and  the  ylidin^i,'  scale  becomes  a  toy,  instead  of  an  instnmient,  inev- 
itably. The  tirm  appreciates  tlie  paucity  of  terms  and  c.nditions 
of  the  otlier  "  Keys,"  recognizes  their  looseness  and  insufKcieney, 
and  tries  to  hide  an  e(iual  barrenness  under  a  deeper  festoon  of 
words. 

.  Wo  have  referred  to  the  "  Keys  "  simply  m  ln>^fnn»rnh  of 
relative  calculation.  Their  actual  use  in  the  lleferencc  Books  of 
the  Agencies  deserves  a  separate  chai)ter. 


TilE  CO.MMEUCIAL  AGENCIES. 


if 

if: 


niArTER  VI. 

now   Tlir:   "KEYS"   ARE  PLAYED  AND  l!ATIN'(iS  ]S[ADE   IT— \VIIO 
SIT   I\  .Il'DOMENT   AND   DISPENSE  AdENCY  JUSTICE. 

Tin;  best  imd  most  I'xperieiicod  business  man  in  the  world,  per- 
sonally informed,  so  far  a?,  one  man  can  ever  be-,  of  another  man's 
all'alrs  in  lii.s  inunediatu  viuinity,  would  be  in  some  dilllculty  to  lix 
a  true  capital  and  di'siu'iiate  a  safe  credit  rating'.  I'roceeilini^M'rom 
the  point  that  the>e  ratings  and  "  Keys*'  of  ratings  are  necessarily 
false  and  inetlieient  as  such,  wo  come  to  the  (piestion,  who  alHx 
them  i     The  persons  who  «lo  it  arc  : 

Firstly:  Outside  of  sixty  olHco  centre.'',  not  persons  of  tho 
neighborhood,  but  clerks  to  -whom  tho  letters  and  reports  are  sent 
from  the  neighborhood. 

Secondly  :  In  the  cities,  ■\vhero  tlio  sixty  oflices  arc  situated,  re- 
ports concerning  residents  arc  first  received  by  the  maiuigers, 
])igeondioled  nntil  the  convenient  opportunity  of  co]i)ying  has  ar- 
rived, and  then  turned  over  to  clerks,  who  ailix  the  ratings.  The 
managers  attend  to  the  more  nseful  Avork  of  increasing  tho  sub- 
.';cri[)tiondists.  The  writer,  with  three  others,  was  lately  engiiged 
for  a  period  of  six  weeks  allixing  such  ratings  as  he  saw  fit  to  the 
names  of  several  thousand  Xew-York  merchants,  the  latest  reports 
of  whom  (and  on  which  the  ratings  were  predicated)  were  in  some 
instances  eight  years  old,  in  tho  vast  majority  of  cases  four  years 
old,  and  not  a  hundred  less  than  one  year  old  !  This  habit,  origi- 
nating in  clu)ice  and  recklessness  of  the  princi]ial  office,  wli'  <•  t' 
responsible  managers  and  proprietors  arc  supposed   to  ou- 

judgment  and  experience  to  their  work,  is  followed,  ^y  >  -sity, 
in  smaller  places,  where  nc.o  of  the  company  resides  ;  tiuu  young 
men  who  never  did  business  themselves,  and  boys  who  by  reaso 
of  nonage  could  not  do  b'.isiness,  arc  the  arbiters  of  the  capital 
ratings  and  the  atlixers  of  the  credit-marks  of  merchants  longer  in 
business  than  the  lifetime  of  their  incpiisitors  and  judges.      It  was 


THE   SVSTK.M    KXTOSED. 


87 


anly 


xl,  vc- 

las  iU'- 
Tho 
c  ^ub- 
1 gage  1 1 
to  the 
reports 
u  fcOine 
years 

v 

origi  - 

'.  t' 

•  )ung 
reuse 
3  capital 


tliissultliiiioiih.-iiirdity — irflioiigeiicies  wore  sincere  In  their  chiiius — 
and  tliissiihliiiie  iinlilh-reiiire  to  results — if  they  M'cri!  not  so — whidi 
set  tlie  writer  lirst.  in(|iiiriiig  what  cnahh'(l  lilm  Ik  extract  truth  a> 
to  the  presi'iit  coiiditiKU  ol'  a  niL'rchaiit  Irinii  an  old  report,  or  a 
new  one,  all'ording  no  .siilhcicnt  ch/nu-nts  for  even  a  wild  Iiy[>otlu!- 
sis.  An  intimate  acnuaintanci'^hip,  extending  o\er  twelve  years, 
with  the  liiisinos: — commencing  as  an  errand-hoy,  jirogressing  t(» 
an  assistant,  managership  and  cashiorship  of  two  leading  hranch 
otKces  -gave  him  I'arilities,  with  increase,  of  age,  to  learn  the 
grossness  and  hoUowness  of  the  pretences  of  the  Agencies  in  this 
ri'g.ird,  ami  ci'rtainly  enabled  him  to  foUovV  the  system  and  apply 
the  ratings  as  well  as  others  of  shorti'r  ex[)erience  in  the  business 
and  his  juniors  in  age.  What  wonder  that,  when  hi;  l)ecanu;  con 
scions  of  his  own  incapacity  to  give  any  reason  to  liimself  why  out; 
man  should  be  I'ated  in  j»oor  credit  and  another  in  high  creilit; 
when  he  foimd  him  >  If  (h)rmg  out  anatlu-ma  i'rom  secret  re[)orts 
when  the  Keferenco  JJook  ratings  indicated  large  cajntal  and  high 
credit,  or  giving  rosy  pictures  of  mei'  tvhom  the  lleference  IJook 
rated  poorly  or  not  at  all  ;  when  he  saw  the  victim  of  the  latest 
report  coming  in  and  [)aying  his  nioiu'V  to  be  unconsciously  de- 
stroyed, he  determined  to  iii([uire  whether  the  whole  system  was 
not  a  crying  fraud  and  injury  to  the  business  c()mmunity.  His 
opinions,  ho  further  found  on  examination,  were  the  same  as  thoso 
of  nearly  all  the  other  emph)yees.  They  enjoyed  the  joke  and 
took  their  salary,  lint  none  ever  ]>reten(k'd  to  l)elieve  that  the 
information  sent  out  slu»uld  determine  the  ])ropriety  of  entering 
into  a  single  bargain  or  executing  a  singlo  sale!  They  simply 
profited  by  the  system,  and  lield  their  peace. 

There  were  jioteut  reasons  for  this  conduct.  The  merchants 
all'ected  Avere  not  the'ii'  cm[)loyers.  The  salaries  paid  were  so 
meagre,  averaging  ten  dollars  ])er  week,  that  only  pers<jnsof  ])rcss- 
ing  necessities  and  sliy-ht  self-assertion  Avere  employed.  The  in- 
jury  done  to  business  liopes  aiul  reputation  did  not  (-onuj  imme- 
diately under  their  observation  so  as  to  excite  sympathy,  or,  if  it 
did,  situations  were  luu'd  to  get,  and  labor  was  going  a-begn-ing 
for  emj)h)yment.  The  agency  fed  them,  whoever  else  it  imi't  or 
hetrav  1.  They  did  the  work  assigned  t(;  them,  and  cared  nothing 
for  the  consequences. 

Imagine  a  tcu-dolhir  clerk  poring  over  ten  or  twenty  lines  of 


m 


P 


:i8 


THK   COMMEllCIAL   AOKXCIES. 


iiiami.sci'iiit  williout  ;i  iii^iire  in  it,  iiiul  (U'toriiiiiiinir  I'litin^cs  of 
cupital  anil  credit  in  the  case  of  luorcliants  doiii^  a  ])ii.siiu;s,s  of  two 
or  iivo  millions  avoar!  'I'ako  an  instance  from  the  X(!\v-Y'i>rk 
grocery  trade.  Tui)))er — -Dun,  HarlDW  tS:  ( 'o.'s  r(;j)ort(!r  oi'  tlii.s 
line — is  notorions  for  .sr//7o//i  (jiriiKj  an  cHtiniate  of  ■meUDs.  Tlio 
business  in  which  he  is  enijjloyetl  en,!j;a_i^es  the  secoml  largest  capital  — 
hari-ing  the  tlry-goc^ds  tra.de — invented  in  the  metropolis.  The  mmi- 
ber  of  merchants  and  traders  may  he  safely  .set  down  at  500U  ; 
and  yet,  during  seven  years  or  nc.'arly  seven,  Mr.  'j'np[»er  has  either 
never  secured  informatinn  eni^ugh  to  commuiucate  estimates, 
or,  to  guard  against  the  conse(|uence.s  of  his  ignorance,  lias  seldom 
dared  to  do  so.  Yet  it  is  J'rom  the  vague  statements  of  this  gen- 
tleman, couched  in  language  which  iits  Talleyrand's  ideal  in  its  ca- 
pacity to  hide  th(jught,  that  tlie  hoys  of  the  Agency  sit  in  judg- 
ment and  award  sentences  which,  within  an  hour  after  utterance, 
may  hnperil  a  pros[)erous  Ijusiness  or  elevate  a  siidcing  lirm  into  a 
se!f"-surpri>ing  credit. 

In  the  city  dry -goods  trade  ^Iv.  Chase  liolds  the  like  (jflice  that 
Mr.  Tupper  sustains  in  the  grocery  lino.  Tapper's  excessive 
tendemy  ti>  caution  is  not  Cluisc's  sole  diaraeterislic.  lie  is  a 
sour,  lym|>hatic  old  man,  whose  errors  lie  in  the  other  exti'eme. 
lie  ]um])S  at  conclusions  without  what  we  I'cgai'd  necessary  in- 
f(ji'matioii.  Th(!  clerks  have  no  dilliculty  in  dealing  with  his  state- 
ments, lie  deciiUis  summarily,  ami  the  reports  indicate  in  what 
spirit,  where  his  curiosily  has  n<jt  heen  gratified,  where  his  feelings 
incline,  or  where  he  has  heer.  treateil  as  an  impertinent  intermed- 
dlei-  by  houses  of  known  ivspectaldlity.  Indeed,  ("base  relieves  the 
clerks  from  sii])erintcnding  his  estimates,  just  as  he  relieved  Kd- 
wanls,  his  assistant,  from  })resuming  to  have  an  opinion  of  a  mer 
chant's  credit  adverse  to  his.  If  Chase  likes  a  dry-gocjds  house,  or 
has  liad  i'ea>on  to  like  it,  that  house  will  get  to  the  public;  and 
trade  thi'oii^h  the  aireru-y  in  <rlowinif  cohu's.  If  an v  house  co/zit- 
pdtjx  with  Ciiase's  favorite,  that  house  will  learn  the  result  in  the 
next  lieferencc  JJook,  or  earlier,  if  called  for,  in  the  secret  i'e])orts 
ami  in  iIk;  Itest  words  of  Cha".'.  This  ])eculiarity  was  genei'ally 
kiunvn  an<l  connnentcd  on  in  the  olHcf.  Two  elTects  of  it  are  suf- 
ficient to  illustrate;  its  conser^uenccs,  Vyse  iV  Co.,  ;;ii  old  English 
house,  im|)()rting  straw-goods,  and  rated  by  ('base  in  the  licfcjreTicc 
])ook  e.pial  to  A.  T.  Stewart  ik,  (Jo.,  A  -|-  A  1,  was  a  favorite  with 


THE  SYSTEM   KXPOSED. 


;;!» 


;  that 

L;s.sive 
i8  a 

reine. 

ry  iii- 
^,1ate- 
wliat 

iiied- 
sthc 
I  Ivl- 
iiicr 

(.',  ov 

n:  and 
[1  tlio 

rally 

liili.sli 
ronc'O 
i  with 


tills  <j:;ontloinoii  so  lato  as  Fobvuary,  iST.i,  and  liis  fricnd^lnp  or  ad- 
iriii'atioii  lor  it  caii.sed  tiio  lioii-c  to  ho  reported  to  the  'J'eiilh  Na- 
tional Haidc  in  that  month  a.s  in  nn(]nestioiial)lc!  credit  after  the 
liouse  had  failed  !  Of  conr.-e  the  'I'eiith  National  I'aid'C  was  onlv 
practisiii:;'  a  joke  on  the;  A^eney,  for  it  kn(!w  of  tin;  failui'f!  when 
niakint^  ihc  inqniry,  and  made  the  reipust  in  that  spirit.  How 
the  ('entral  National  Hank  of  Now -York,  if  it  liad  coidiilcnco  in 
the  A^^ency,  Avas  nd^led  hy  the  same  favorahle  report.  o])tained  a 
few  days  previoufily,  can  he  host  told  Ity  ^U\  William  A.  AVhee- 
loek,  its  president. 

Take  another  case.  Alsher:^  6c  Jordan,  hosiery,  (itc,  havini^. 
like  the  Tenth  National  Bank,  litth;  or  no  fiiith  in  the  Agency  in- 
formation or  in  Chase,  refused  to  make  any  statement  of  their 
affairs  to  him  in  .Tann;',ry,  IHT.").  They  had  heen  rated  previously 
in  "good  creclit."  Forthwith  they  hecame  '' douhtful."  Tlu?  Dry 
Goods  I'ank  iriado  inquiries  in  anticjpaticai  of  discounting  their 
pa])er  in  the  usual  coui'se.  Chase's  report  stopped  the  chaneo  of 
legitimate  discount.  Tiu;  house  still  surviv(!S,  and  is  in  hetter 
credit  than  ever,  if  ])ossihle,  from  liaving  weathered  a  test  which 
a  single  man's  i-epi^lled  impertiiKMice  nnght  have  rendered  fatal  in 
the  cas(!  <if  firms  nu,  so  geiierully  esteemed  or  of  less  niohile 
Jtieans.  Si  ill  juiollior  instance.  Shuck  man  t^-  Kat^ki,  cloflis,  etc., 
-2!)  Church  sti-eet,  New-York  City,  al  hough  solicited  to  hecome 
suhscrihers  and  })ay  $ir)0  to  the  Ageiu*y,  declined  ;  they  were  rated 
down  accordingly.  Paim,',  Co(jdwin  <S:  Xowell,  wholesale  woollens, 
cloths,  etc.,  adv'ised  y\v.  Shackman  to  call  at  the  Agency,  suh-criiie, 
and  '"fix  his  lating,"  and  they  would  sell  1o  the  firm,  hciiig  willing 
to  sell  if  Shackman  6c  Katski  coiihl  huy  from  others.  Shackman 
^iood  on  his  right,  did  not  go  to  the  Agency,  and  is  ])ursning  husi- 
ness  on  the  j(jint  capital  of  his  own  ]iierit  and  the  prevailing 
helief  of  the  general  incorrectnos  and  pliahility  of  the  Agency's 
O[)inions. 

The;  person  In  general  charge  of  tin;  New-^'ork  (-'ity  ile[)ar(- 
ment  is  Mr.  AViman,  who  hegan  hnsine^s  ahout  eighteen  years  ago 
hy  keei)ing  a  paper-stand  and  stationery  stor(^  in  "^rorontd,  and  hy 
a  (cries  of  judicidiis  mameuvres  succeeded  in  jiassing  fi'om  a  clerk- 
ship in  the  hu>iiu'.-s  at  Toronto  to  a  ])artn(.'rship  interest  ainl  a 
residence  in  N(;w-Voi-k,  in  the  princi|)al  ollice.  lie  is  practically 
the  controlling  .-pirit  of  the  institution.      Ilis  litness  f^r  presiding 


1 


?  .i 


'hIJot 


■'«' 


40 


THE   COMMERCIAL  AGENCIES. 


mn 


m 


over  tlie  coinincrcial  credit  of  tlie  old  and  voiiii^rmcreliaiits  of  sudi 
ail  cmporuiin  as  the  Empire  City  can  readily  be  determined.  On 
the  Ittli  of  May,  1S(5S,  Erastiis  Wiman  was  compelled  by  imx-e.^s  to 
depose  Ix'fore  Hon.  Cliavles  ]\Iondelet,  judge  of  tlie  Superior 
Court  in  Monti'cal,  Canada  East,  that  one  Jay  Lng.sdin,  -who  had 
hcen  manager  in  that  city  from  8eptend)or,  ISOO,  to  March,  ISOS, 
"  ■?/,v/,v  f/i.s'c/nf/'</cfl  hfcnuxe  he  hon-omed  ^S(»()  froio  Andreio  Mac- 
'■'■fai'Iioi  iX'  Co.,  St.  Paul  street,  and  neglected  1o  advise  the  Lon- 
''don  olHct;  with  hiformation  about  the  firm  until  the  information 
"had  become  valueless."  The  borrowing  took  place  in  February, 
.18G7  ;  the  information  was  'held  back  until  2a\\\  July,  1S07, 
\\\w\\  the  Macfarlanshad  elfocted  all  their  foreign  purchases.  The 
Macfiii'lans  became  insolvent  in  the  spring  of  iSiiS  ;  and  the 
I'cmoval  of  Lngsdin  did  not  take  place  imtil  the  lusolvcnts  had 
been  brought  into  court.  Dun,  Barlow  &  Co.,  fearing  the  effect 
of  such  a  transaction,  sought  to  claim  credit  to  their  Agency  for 
having  "  discharged  ''  him  ;  but  the  falsity  of  this  pretence  was 
siion  evidenced  hij  the  (/j>//otnf/ne))t  of  LtKjKdhi  to  the  vuinmje.r- 
fth'/j)  of  the  PhUadelphhij  office,  and  his  subsequent  promotion 
to  San  h'rancisco,  the  liead-rpiarters  for  the  Pacitic  Coast  States, 
with  the  Portland  (Oregon)  Pninch  under  his  supervision — a  posi- 
tion vrhicli  ho  still  holds.  It  Avas  not  the  borrowing  therefore, but 
thehciuij fvHiul  out,  which  stirred  \)\\\\,  I'arlow  A;  Co.;  it  was  not 
the  kee})ing  l)ack  of  injiu'ious  inf<n'mation  rehdire  to  a  suhscriber, 
and  v'dJiholdhxj  it  froni  other  ffuhscrihers  entitled  to  it  hij  havlnc) 
fcdd for  it  ill  admnee,  which  touched  Dun,  I'arlow  &  Co.'s  con- 
science most  severely:  all  this  could  have  been  borne  with ;  had 
boon  borne  with  one  year,  and  would  have  been  boriu)  with  longer 
if  the  facts  had  not  (jot  into  court,  and  compelled  Dun,  IJarlow  & 
Co.  to  transfer  j\ri'.  Lugsdin's  approved  capacity  to  new  fields. 
Nor  is  this  surprising.  !\rr.  Wiman  himself  had  been  a  manager 
in  ]\roiitrca],aii<l  had  learned  from  personal  experience  the  efficien- 
cy cif  his  ])ositiou  ti)  ]>rocm-e  aid  in  dilliculties  from  tlu^  mer- 
chants of  that  city.  In  the  very  yeuri^  v\heu  I.ugsdin  Avas  operat- 
ing with  the  ]\[acfarlans,  Wiman  was  borrowing  fr«)m  11.  J.  Dallas, 
manager  of  the  .Monli-eal  branch  of  the  Pank  of  Toronto  (wl:a 
subsc(juently  absconded  with  §-K^,**'"*),  :ni'^  i'l'om  P.  D.  Browne, 
Exchange  Broker,  ami  getting  the  indorsements  of  David  ]\rorrico 
and  others  on  notes  discounted  for  his  individual  benefit  by  the 


THE   SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


41 


ot 


r>;»uk  aiul  I'rowiic  !  litis  Jji'ouiw  vas  als'o  indorse)'  on  tlw  noie 
(jircii  by  Lmjsidin  in  the  MtiefarJan,  iranmctioii^  and  evidently 
a})pi-eciated  tlio  necessity  of  affixing  his  name,  on  request,  on  tlie 
Lack  of  eitlici-  Winian's  or  Lugsdin's  promises  to  \yA\\  although  botli 
Lugsdin  and  Wimau  ^\•c^e  merely  salaried  persons,  withnut  prop- 
erty, capital,  or  business — besides  reporting  on  the  commen-ial 
standing  of  gentlemen  Avho  might  refuse  to  alTord  them  these 
convenient  facilities  (jf  h)eal  credit.  In  the  light  of  these  fact-, 
within  tlie  writer's  personal  knowledge,  "Wiman's  exhibition  of  a 
testy  sense  of  ]\[erchantile  Agency  honor  in  the  Superior  Court 
was  one  of  the  coolest  exhibitions  of  the  season  even  in  that  cli- 
mate, and  gives  j>ith  and  point  to  his  further  declaration,  on  com- 
ing to  Xew- York,  that  he  would  never  leave  the  l^roader  and  richer 
domain  of  Agency  elfort  afforded  by  the  Metropolis,  Avithout  a  clear 
million  to  his  credit. 

It  is  not  for  us  to  say  whether  ho  proposes  t<)  attain  his  object 
bv  Avorthy  orunworthv  means  :  but  the  readermav  draw  such  con- 
elusions  as  he  shall  see  fit  from  the  following  data. 

Edward  ]\[athews,  Xos.  -i  and  G  ]5road  street,  Xew-York  City, 
is  a  real-estate  owner  worth,  by  the  affidavits  of  half  a  dozen  experts, 
!5^0,000,000  or  more,  and  in  receipt  of  !$;32<5,000  a  year  from  it, 
clear  income,  over  and  above  Taxes,  Assessments,  etc.  Dun,  Har- 
low ifc;  Co.  rated  this  well-known  capitalist  as  worth  only  from 
§500,000  to  $l,000,Oi)(i,  with  a  credit  rating  such  as  is  g  ven  to  a 
man  with  from  §25,000  to  850,000  capital  !  This  rating  appeared 
at  a  time  when  Mr.  Mathews  Avas  about  to  noLCotiato  a  loan  in  Knii;- 
land  on  property  situated  in  Wall  and  J>road  streets.  The  Xew- 
York  City  ])e})ai'tment  manager  contrived  to  put  himself  in  com- 
munication M'ith  >[r.  J^^athews  by  asking  for  a  statement  and  send- 
ing a,  canvasser  for  a  subscription.  ]\[athews  received  the  (Jospcl 
but  dismissed  the  ^[issionary  :  that  is,  he  called  on  Dun,  ]^)arlow 
tfc  Co.,  ma<lc  his  statenu'ut,  showed  his  proofs  of  value  and  liabilities 
under  the  oath  of  the  best  authorities  in  the  city  as  to  ri'al  estate, 
and  told  them  that  he  would  not  subscribe  :  tli.it  the  rating  must 
be  changed  to  rc^present  the  fads,  or  tiiat  his  name  must  be  whol- 
ly suppressed  to  avoid  legal  proceedings.  Xo  subscription  or 
other  inducement  appearing,  an  unfavorable  report  was  made  ami 
circulated.  The  name  was  suppressed  in  the  l!,fei'<n'-e  Buok  in 
view  of  the  threat  of  legal   proceedings,  and  the  London  Times, 


IJl-.l.lLIBMit! 


42 


THE  co.\rMr:RciAL  agexcies. 


getting  it.>  iiiisinfoniiiitiou  from  some  American  S(jnrc'e,  lia.s  lately 
been  oblitjed  to  jnihliely  retnict  its  misstatements  ahout  ^[r.  Ma- 
tliews,  and  to  do  justieo  to  a  man  -whom  a  Bubscrijttion,  or  a  judi- 
cious recognition  of  J)nn,  Barlow  *k,  (,'o.'s  i)osition,  miglit  have 
saved  from  all  the  annoyance  and  possible  injury,  D"/t,  Ihwloiv 
tC'  Co.^  '(!'<'■  l,'niiii\  nuwU'id  nolhiiKj  huftJie  fitdtviiwiif  fi'oiii  Mr.  2f(i- 
tJiews.  The  uncharitable  may  say  the  fact  acc(nuitsfor  the  preser- 
vation, in  the  Agency  and  private  circulation,  of  the  mifavorable 
report  up  to  the  time  of  Avriting.  At  all  events,  Morrice  and 
Browne,  of  ^[ontreal,  with  a  respective  capital  of  $75,000  and 
$50,0(;0,  stand  in  higher  credit,  conceded  by  Dun,  Barlow  tfe  Co., 
than  ]\rr,  JMatliews,  although  ]\[cKillop&  Spraguc  Co.  rated  Mr. 
Mathews  "  A  1,  A  1,  A  1  " — tlie  higliest  ca])ital  rating  and  high- 
est credit — and  Bradstreet  ct  Son  at  "  A,  A,  A  " — the  most  un- 
doubted capital,  business  character,  ability,  and  credit. 

Query.  If  a  capital  of  $50,000,  witli  a  liberal  habit  of  indors- 
ing paper,  ])roduce  "High  Credit,"  what  woidd  a  capital  of 
$0,000,000,  Lcith  the  like  hahit,  produce  ? 

Answer.  "  b^rdimited  Credit,"  at  least. 

The  iinal  moral  remains  to  l)e  drawn.  Since  the  time  mention- 
ed, P.  I).  ]3rownc  has  had  his  rating  increased  to  an  extraordinary 
amount  Avithin  a  short  period.  But  all  is  not  gold  that  glitters 
under  the  fructifying  rays  of  friendship.  Xathless  the  Agency, 
Browne  incontinently  failed  in  June,  1875,  owing  $('»0,000  and 
over,  or  an  amount  about  etpial  to  his  last  false  increase  of  pre- 
tended capital  and  credit.  Tlieso  three  gentlemen,  Tupper, 
Chase,  and  Wiman,with  a  varying  number  of  cheap  assistants,  are 
the  reporters  and  raters  of  the  ]\[erchants,  Bankers,  ^[anufiicturers, 
and  Ti'atlers  in  and  out  of  New- York  for  ])un,  Barlow  it  Co. 
Of  course  the  Agency  must  make  a  show  of  activity  somewhere, 
and  the  chief  city  is  the  most  proiitable  place  for  making  it. 
Hence  fine  offices,  a  large  array  of  old  I'ooks,  a  majority  t»f 
illiterate  clerks,  and  an  increasitig  system  of  canvassing  for  sub- 
scrij)tions.  Talk  of  the  curse  of  tlie  Locusts  of  Egypt  or  Kansas, 
of  the  infliction  of  the  Sewing-Machine  travellers  and  Lightiung- 
Ivod  men  :  these  Agency  canvassers  arc  to  the  business  men  of  this 
country  ccpially  persistent  and  far  more  exacting.  A  new  firm  is 
engaged  in  taking  down  its  shutters  for  the  first  time.  /'Jnfcr  a 
canvasser.     An  old  one  i.s  in  the  labor-pains  of  bringing  forth  a 


TUE   SYSTEM    EXPOSED. 


43 


n-s, 

re, 
it. 
of 


new  Special.  Entei'  a  ciiiiva.s.ser.  A  partiun-  is  retiring,  and  llio 
I'cst  of  tlie  liriu  are  entitling  their  new  IJocjk.s  and  rejiaintini:;  the 
.sign.  Kilter  a  cauvariser.  An  unreported  local  house  is  in([uirc'd 
for  at  the  Agency  counter,  in  l>roa<l\vay.  or  any  of  the  liranchos. 
AVhile  the  iiupiirer  is  waiting  for  inforniatiun  tlui  ('anvas>cr 
crosses  a  threshold  in  one  of  the  down-town  streets,  and  demands 
information  and  a  subscription. 

The  amount  ranges  from  §150  to  S.1000  yearly,  as  testified  by 
Wiman  in  Aj)ril,  1.S75,  in  the  iS^ew-York  Supreme  Court,  on  trial 
of  an  action  entitled  ''llobert  G.  Dun  and  others  i^'.  J.  Arthur 
Murphy";  but  where  §150  cannot  be  got,  §50  placates  or  molli- 
fies the  itinerant.  Even  at  the  latter  rate  the  prolit  is  enormous 
and  justifies  all   the  effort  expended  by  the  Agency. 

Outside  of  Xew-York,  as  the  opportunities  of  getting  Sub- 
scribers decrease,  the  efforts  to  get  infoi'ination  decrease  also. 
The  rrinci[)al  Oflice  makes  the  subordinate  ones  self-supporting 
at  least,  or  ceases  to  indulge  in  them.  The  Syracuse  Office  was 
started  in  this  Avise,  in  ]\Iav,  1ST2.  Two  clerks  ^ot  half  their 
travelling  expenses  to  that  burgh.  One  resident  ^[crchant,  J  )uguid, 
of  Uuguid,  A\"ells  it  Co.,  saddlery,  etc.,  advanced  the  use  of  his 
rooms  in  place  of  a  subscri})tion,  and  got  rated  with  miction. 
Another  firm,  Cooke,  Carpenter,  (Joleman  &c  Co.,  gave  the  furni- 
tui'e  for  the  same  consideration  and  with  an  abiding  faith  that 
their  bread  ''  would  come  back  after  nvany  days."'  Less  than  §50 
sufficed  to  impose  on  the  ])eoi)le  of  that  city  an  institution  which 
now  costs  them  annually  §12,000,  under  the  direction  of  a  mere 
youth  named  Cargell,  whose  services  as  a  Commercial  ]ihadaman- 
thus  of  a  large  contiguous  District  are  rated  by  the  .\gency 
at  the  weekly  value  of  §15,  It  is  but  just  to  add  that  this 
compensation  is  fully  comnu'iisui'ati'.  Cargell  will  admit  he 
could  not  earn  §10  a  week  marking  boxes  or  in  any  other 
employment  requiring  special  adaptability.  It  must  be  -worth 
§5  nujre  to  calculate  the  average  risl^s  attending  the  iuvestuKiit 
and  use  of  5oo  or  (loo  millions  of  active  capital  Avithin  the 
radius  of  his  District.  Twelve  dollars  per  week  salisfy  Mar- 
shall, in  Erie,  Pa.  Xevili  is  content  with  tht;  same  sti])eiid  in 
Scranton,  Pa.  Pratt  makes  Cincinnati  profitable  on  an  inlinitesi- 
nud  portion  of  the  revenue  derived  from  tlu;  Poi'kopolitcs. 
Brock  lives  and  flourishes  like  a  Prince  in   Chicago,   on  a  sal. —y 


m 


mnimiwmmimm  Hiiibiii 


44 


THE   COMMERCIAL   AGENCIES. 


sufficient  to  justify  liis  a\st]ietic  tastes  and  oj^eii-lianded  cxi)endi- 
turc  in  tliat  fast-living-  and  energetic  community.  In  the  btaider 
City  of  Jjuifalo,  Jolm  If.  Smith  lius  labored  tliese  six  years  past 
on  a  stinted  compensation,  and  contrived,  with  a  genius  not  nni(pie 
in  this  business,  to  set  aside  savings  vai'iously  estimated  at  8*'0,000 
to  870,000.  Ill  St.  Jolin,  X.  B.,  Augustus  P.  Ilolj-h  performs 
tlie  duty  of  Sweeper,  Errand-boy,  Tlep(jrter,  and  Manager  all  to- 
gether for  about  $20  per  week,  and  d(jes  not  repine  at  the  ways  of 
Providence.  Our  friend  Lugsdin  disj)orts  by  the  Golden  Horn 
on  a  light  apparent  ca2)ital ;  but  who  can  say  how  many  Macfar- 
lans  he  may  have  met  to  lighten  and  brighten  his  Pacific  exile  ? 

Put  Ave  arc  not  restricted  to  generalization  in  judging  of  the 
average  fitness  of  the  managers  and  credit  men  of  the  institutions. 
The  records  of  ^courts  in  the  United  States  and  Canada  supply  us 
with  abundant  proof  of  particular  escapades ;  and  even  the  instances 
of  Avrong-doing  "hnslied  up"  by  the  Agencies,  in  self-protection 
and  as  the  better  wisdom,  arc  matters  of  common  repoi-t.  One  of 
Dun,  Parlow  <Sc  Co.'s  men,  appointed  through  the  inilueiice  of  Eras- 
tus  AViman,  abscoiuled  from  Ilochester  in  ISTO  with  about  S4(X)0, 
Avent  to  Canada,  and  A\'as  employed  there  by  Bradstrect  6c  Son. 
Another  of  Dun,  Parlow  it  Co.'s  defaulted  in  Mobile  in  18T->,  was 
convicted,  and  imprisoned  two  years.  A  third,  of  the  same  Agen- 
cy, embezzled  at  Evansville,  Indiana,  in  March,  1875,  and  was  not 
prosecuted,  as  we  judge  from  a  statement  oi  an  Evansville  news- 
paper. In  Pittsburg,  a  fourth  dc])leted  his  friends  $0000.  A 
lifth.  al)sconded  from  Montreal,  and  subsequently  entered  the  em- 
jjloyment  of  McKillop  &  Sprague,  at  Chicago.  A  sixth  is  alleged 
to  have  depredated  in  Syracuse,  in  1873.  A  seventh  was  arrested 
in  Albany,  charged  by  Ilem-y  Pi'ock  with  fi-aud,  etc.,  and  was  after- 
wards ap[)ointed  to  Scranton,  Pa.  An  eighth — a  city  department 
reporter — has  just  been  exposed  in  the  courts  as  the  keeper  of  a 
house  of  prostitution.  A  ninth,  in  Memphis,  explained  his  de- 
ficiency in  accounts  by  saying  he  lost  his  money  in  a  Faro- 
bank  and  is  now  probably  in  charge  of  a  less  temi>ting  neigh- 
borhood. A  tenth  is  announced,  under  date  of  October  18th, 
1875,  in  a  circular  issued  in  Houston,  T^-^as,  as  having,  within  ten 
days,  "practised  divers  frauds  on  some  i  the  best  citizens  by  ob- 
taining money,  etc.,"  on  account  of  his  Agency  connection.  The 
list  might  be  increased  ad  llhitum  ;  but  we  merely  give  these  facts 


THE   SYSTEM   EXPOSED, 


45 


to  show  tho  carelessness  as  to  cliaraotor  evinced  bv  tlio  A^^oncies  in 
selecting  their  must  tnisteil  assistants.     Jt  is  no  wonder'siich  aids 
turn  out   thieves  or  criiuinuls,  or  are  chosen   from  tho  criminal 
classes.     No  references  arc  re(|uircd  ;  no  ])reliininary  examination 
into  the  antecedents  of  an  ai)plicant  is  had.     If  ho  will  worlc  for 
low  salary,  the  Agencies  give  themselves  little  concern  what  I'lsc  he 
maj  have  done  or  may  do.     Indeed,  one  of  the  jnost  amusing  fea- 
tures of  Agency  life  is  their  utter  heedlessness  of  consequences  in 
the  case  of  credit  men.     The  writcT  has  often  been  annised  at  the 
retiu-n  of  credit  men,  after  enforced  absences  in  jail  or  on  tho 
Island,  for  reinstatement  and  l)ack  salary.    He  never  knew  one  of 
them  to  bo  refused  renewed  service  on  such  grouruls.     AVhatcver 
they  did,  th(;y  seemed  to  think  they  knew  enoi;gl.i  of  Agency  me- 
thods to  brazen  out  tlieir  transgressions  and  enforce  a  re-employ- 
nient.     And  so  far  as  the  vn-iter's  experience  goes,  they  never  cal- 
culated erroneously.     If  wo  only  consider  the  scope  for  false,  fa- 
bricated, or  collusive  reports  given  by  and  to  the  persons  whose 
misdeeds  we  have  just  noted,  Avhat  a  terrible  mass  of  misrepresen- 
tation must  have  got  al)i-oad  at  their  hands !     If  we  consider  that 
tho  Agencies  take  no  ])recantion  against  the  recurrence  of  like  of- 
fences, Ave  may  naturally  infer  that  the  erjxhsed  crime  bears  but  an 
insignificant  ratio  to  the  hidden  wrongs  and  (.(fences  daily  connuit- 
ted  by  persons  chosen,  by  such  methods,  for  such  work.     And 
may  we  not  reasonably  ask  the  business  classes;  If  the  reputations 
of  traders  and  the  safety  of  sellers  are  both  entrusted  to  carelessly 
or  capriciously  selected  men,  out  of  whose   raidvs  the  foregoing 
offenders  have  conic,  what  is  to  be  hoped  for  from  the  undetecteil 
remainder  I 


'I 


46 


THE   COMMEUCIAIi   AGENCIES. 


CIIArTER  VII. 


FUllTIlEll  ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  AGENCY  IGNORANCE,  CUPIDITY,  AND 
AVARICE— DO  THEY  CONTRIBUTE  TO  MISLEAD  CONFIDENCE V 

Tins  remarkal)lc  disparity  1)etweon  tlic  known  salaries  of  tlio 
employees  of  tlic  Agency  and  tlieir  ostensi])lo  means  and  methods 
of  living  may  liave  an  innocent  explanation.  A  man  tna;/  be 
■willing  to  carry  on  his  ehoulders,  year  after  year,  the  responsiljility 
of  a  IJranch  office  in  a  leading  city,  and  acting  over  a  large  ad- 
joining District,  on  a  fixed  salary  of  from  $10  to  $20  or  $;>()  a 
Aveek.  AVc  know  these  men  do  so.  But  if  they  be  not  driven  by- 
stress  of  circninstances  to  take  and  hold  such  a  position  at  such  a 
price,  they  must  be  moved  to  the  sacrifice  l)y  other  motives  than 
those  supplied  by  their  salaries.  Are  there  no  jierquisites  ?  If 
"VYiman  hopes  to  make  a  million  dollars— he  has  already  got 
$200,000 — may  not  Smith  aspire  to  one  tenth  thereof  i  If  Wiman 
may  liavo  his  stud  and  comitry  villa  and  gorgeous  retinue,  why 
may  not  Brock  look  forward  to  the  not  far  distant  day  when  he 
may  drive  a  fonr-in-hand  instead  of  a  team  on  "NYabasli  avenue,  nor 
excite  the  gall  of  the  managcr-nudcers  ?  Whatever  the  true 
explanation,  this  argument  results:  the  Agency  selects  cheap 
labor  l)ccause  it  is  cheap,  and  pays  accordingly  ;  and  cheap  labor  is 
a  dangerous  inducement  to  p(jorly-paid  men,  -whose  position  as 
raters  and  givers  of  commercial  credit  and  standing  is  so  grossly  at 
variance  -with  their  stipulated  income. 

The  McKillop  A:  Spraguo  Co.  and  J.  ]\r.  Bradstreet  &  Son  Agen- 
cies claim  to  have  as  many  Branch  offices  as  Dun,  Barlow  &  Co., 
and  employ  relatively  illiterate  men  and  cheap  ones,  in  preference 
to  any  other,  for  like  reasons.  For  all  practical  purposes  of  com- 
parison, their  methods  of  receiving  gratuitous  information  and, 
outside  of  Kew-York  City,  relying  wholly  on  volunteer  and  un- 
])aid-for  knowledge  are  the  same  as  Dun,  Barlow  <k  (Jo.'s.  In  Xew- 
Y'ork  Citv  they  liavc  a  certain  munbcr  of  credit  men  who  either 


TlIK   SYSTEM    EXPOSED. 


•n 


solicit  subscriptions  or  givii  names  of  prohablo  subscriljors  to  can- 
vassers, with  wlioiLi  tlu'V  (livitlo  tlio  ("onunissions.  Tlieso  crctlit 
Ilui)ortc'rs  pick  np  such  rumors  as  llicy  meet  witli  in  tho  streets  ; 
apply  to  particular  houses  in  a  ^-iveii  lino  for  opinions  of  (jther 
and  rival  houses  in  the  same  line;  iiupiire  from  stron<^ly-nite(l,  that 
is,  favorite,  houses  fn  the  eyes  of  credit-divers,  for  estimates  of  the 
iiuancial  condition  of  less  favored  ones,  but  make  no  pi  /'.•^o/nf/. 
evJtiral  i.fiiiaiiuttl<»h  of  tho  Records  of  tho  (.'ounty  Clerk's  or  Ke- 
•jfister's  olHces  for  the  purpose  of  jjroving  tho  true  position  of  sole 
Merchants  and  Traders  or  individual  mendiers  of  Firms  or  (.'um- 
panie-f.  Apart  from  tho  street  "  say  so,"  tho  statements  of  })artics 
in  their  own  behalf  Avhen  yiven,  and  the  Ileal  Estate  Jicroi'd  of 
cnrrent  judgments,  mortgay;es,  liens,  and  forechjsures,  these  hi^-li- 
ly-])aid  Ageiu'ies  do  nothing-  to  earn  the  liberal  contributions  made 
to  them  yearly  Ijy  the  business  men  of  tho  country.  Now  the 
licco/d  does  not  give  the  business  or  addresses  of  persons  against 
whom  judgments  have  been  obtained,  or  who  have  mortgaged  or 
transferred  their  property,  or  who  have  created  liens  on  it  and  lia<l 
them  created  in  Law  or  Ivpiity.  The  value  of  this  d;iily  re- 
minder is  determined,  so  far  as  the  Agencies  are  concerned,  by  this 
fact.  The  Smiths  and  Drowns  are  inimerous  in  anv  lar:;e  citv, 
and  hold.tlieir  customaiy  preponderance  in  the  Empire  State.  If 
judguKiut  is  got  against  Snutli,  sunu;  Smith  is  suspected  of  being 
the  right  one  ;  his  name  is  marked  with  a  (piery  ;  but  whether  it 
bo  the  particular  Smith  of  Uroadway,  it  the  sume-named  Smith  of 
Wall  street,  or  another  Smith  in  tho  Swamp,  is  "all  (Jrcek"'  to  the 
Agencies  until  a  disturbance  occur  owt  o{  it.  The  inspection  of 
the  Judgment  is  never  attemj)ted.  What  is  worse  follows. 
No  iu)tico  is  taken  of  Satisfactimis  of  .Imlgments,  so  that  tho 
doomed  and  suspected  Smith  continues  tu  be  doomed  aiul  sus- 
pected nntil  ho  cither  goes  to  tho  trouble  of  having  a  c(jrrec- 
tioii  made,  or  goes  ti)  the  grave  in  l)lesseil  ignorance  of  the  cause 
and  origin  of  many  unaccountable  busino-  experiences. 

An  incident  whicli  m-curred  in  February,  ist."),  in  Dun, 
B.ii'low  ik  (,'o."s  Xew-York  office,  will  illustrate  tho  common 
dang  'r  in  all  other  Agencies  arising  from  tho  mistake  of  names, 
Th.'  writer  suspected,  and  called  the  Superintendent's  attention  to, 
an  nnfaxorable  report  applied  to  the  house  of  Schuyler,  irartley 
it  Graham,   Military  Goods,   etc..    Maiden   lane,  Xew- York  ('it 


11^ 


V, 


48 


TIIK   C'OMMKIlCrAL   AOKN'CIES, 


It  \vas  iiioaiit  for  anotli''!-  liriii,  Itiit  liad  Iteeii  st'iit  tu  and  recunlud, 
Avitli  all  its  iiijiii'ious  import,  in  six  or  oii-'lit  l>nuu'li  ofHces.  This 
error  coiiliniK'd  tor  iiioic;  than  a  nioiitli,  and  was  onlv  coriTctt'd 
JiftL-r  Ki'vcrai  davs  (d"  calling  attention  to  it.  It  is  of  I'ccDi'd  in  the 
liraiich  otlices,  owinj^  to  the  neji'li^'cncc  and  (•ari'les>iu'ss  of  the  Sii- 
])ei'intcndent,  and  will  remain  so  until  this  j)ul)li(.Mtion  sludl  liave 
(•oni[)i'lled  correction. 

Another  one  occnrs  to  ns,  as  wi;  write,  ^vher(•  no  correction  has 
been  made,  and  where  oiu'  was  pri'vented  lieiiii:;  made,  to  hide  the 
ignorance  of  tlie  Agency.  Koehler  iV:  Kupler  are  Distillei's;  Iler- 
jnan  Koehler  is  a  J>re\ver ;  I.  M.  Koehlei'  is  a  Itanker  in  X(!W-Vork. 
The  reports  of  eacli  are  mixed  u[)  with  the  otlier.^'.  Onewas  re- 
ported nnfavorahlv,  although  all  'Avr  men  of  assured  ca[)ital.  This 
j'cport  was  tacked  to  the  most  coiis[)ieu()us  capitali-t.  The  Dry 
(Joods  Dank  got  the  had  report  of  the  wealthie.-t  man;  and  al- 
thouiili  the  mes.-enirer  could  have  heen  recalh^l  or  the  coiTcctiou 
made  to  the  Dank,  the  Sujierintendent  in.-triicted  the  writer  not 
to  do  either,  clioosing  the  T.ank  should  he  misled,  and  the  citizen, 
it  might  he,  ruined,  rather  than  that  the  Agency  sliould  he  found 
correcting  its  mistakes. 

Still  another,  liohert  ^Macdonald  is  a  Wholesale  Dealer  in 
"White  (Joods,  I'tc,  at  I'l^  Droadway,  Xew-York  City,  ajid  a  sidi- 
fccriher.  AViman  does  not  allow  the  clerks  to  read  Alacdonald's 
report  to  subscribers,  but  refers  iucjuirers  to  himself  for  those  tit- 
bits which  he  dare  not  place  on  record  or  within  Mac's  readi. 

AVhat  if  ^blc  does  drive  a  four-in-hand,  or  has  mari'ied  a 
d'lcoi'co.,  or  faileil  iu  I'elfast,  or  is  disliked  in  Ireland,  cannot  this 
bo  written  down,  if  true,  in  a  manly  way,  and  the  consetpienees 
borne  ^  Do  Dim,  J'arlow  A'  Co.  fear  to  lose  a  .subscription,  or 
to  incur  a  libel-suit,  or  to  earn  a  thrashing  from  the  man  wlioso 
ac(piaintanccship  is  turned  into  a  commodity  i  ( >f  course  whatever 
is  offensive  in  this  statement  is  necessai'ily  untrue,  and  wo  repeat  it 
merely  for  the  ])ur])ose  of  cojitradicting  it,  iu  whole  or  in  part,  and 
with  infinitely  belter  authority  for  oin-  contradiction  than  the 
Agency  conld  ever  have  had  for  its  lirst  slaltMuent. 

The  Scluiyler,  Hartley  A'  (iraham  and  Koehliu"  iV  Kupfcr 
eases  are  not  mere  >'lerical  blunders,  'i'hey  arise  out  cif  the  j)'"'- 
2wscd  iKyhd  of  all  the  Agencies  to  print  \\\q jildct  <i  i>f  hu.siihi^K  in 
connection  with  tlie  names.    In  this  course  Uradstreet  and  ]\rclvil- 


'I'lIK    S'iSril.M    KM'OSKI). 


.19 


in 
)- 


lis 

■C'S 

or 

VVY 

It  it 
nul 
tl.e 

)i'er 

nir- 

'^  ill 

;il- 


lop  tt  Si)rii/,MU'  To.  iuiit.itc  Dun,  Pinrlow  i.^-  Co,  One  wonlil  iiniii^inc 
tli:it  these  imlh-hi  woiiM  i'acilitatc  rct'crciiccs.  aihl  would,  ('dii^c- 
(|U('iitly,  !)('  iiilo]it('(l  aiul  uscil  l»y  the  Anciicics.  Tlid'cj  is  a  lietter 
I'oasdM  why  they  .'-houM  not  lie  iix-il.  Tlio  miiiihcr  o'i  a  .-treot 
wiiiiM  he  an  iiu'H'acoabU' si^'ii  ami  proni  dl  \\n' iiqc  itr  iiirniitjih  fc- 
■iKss  lit"  the  Aii'dicics'  pn'tciidcil  kiiowlcdiic.  Wlicii  tin-  in(|iiircr 
fuuiid  a  tinii  liicati'd  in  Heaver  street  \vhieh  he  knew  had  moved 
two  years  ai^'o  to  Hai'day,  or  anotlu'r  put  down  in  Wall  street 
which  had  loni,'  siueo  taken  uj)  its  position  in  William  or  .\a>.-.au, 
what  could  he  think  of  the  freshness  and  value  of  the  inti'Uiiieiiee 
possessed  liy  the  A^'eneies^  If  so  plain  and  apparent  a  <'ircuin- 
stance  is  found  overlooked  ov  unknown,  what  warrant  (in  he 
have  that  the  ar-soeiated  syllahul)  of  Avords  is  not  i^uess-work  of  the 
veriest  '.  Their  ]ilan  is.  therefor(%  to  avoid  every  sii^n  or  toktai  I»y 
which  a  tell-tale  erroi-  niiu'lit  have  nsady  demonstration,  and  to 
lessen  the  ehani-es  of  discovei'v  hy  redueiii:L;'  tlu;  availahh'  tots  of 
(•om]iarative  accuracy  to  the  niininiuni. 

AVe  recur  auain  to  Mclvillop  t.^  Spratrne  Co.  'IMiey  are  in  the 
same  1)o\  with  the  rest,  as  a  few  examples  Avill  show. 

Hawkins  iV:  Ilankeii,  Ihiihlers'  ^^atel■ials,  jirooklyn,  were  rati'd 
liy  this  At;-ency  in  duly.  jsT:'..  "  :;.  W},,  <;"  that  i~.  capital,  "  S^IKMiO  f,, 
i^4(l()(>";  credit,  "  fair  for  small  l!ne<."  In. Inly.  isTI,  we  (ind  tluaii 
rated  '•  lA-,  2,  2"— that  is,  capital,  J'roiii  "  .slO(»,()U(»  to  S2(M ».(,)( it)  •' ; 
credit,  ''  very  hi;i:h  and  very  ujood."  JIow  the  lirm  nianaifed  to  jump 
in  one  year  from  the  extreme  of  s4(mm)  to  the  extreme  of  Si'tMijioo 
capital  is  best  known  to  tlioniselves,  ami  is  still  a  subject  of  serious 
consultation  Avith  the  Stockholders  of  the  Xew-"\\)rk  Plaster  Works, 
who  lost  a  round  SS.^dOO  in  a  sinii'h;  li'ansai-tion  shortly  after  the 
aj)])earancc  of  the  latter  rating-,  and  while  Hawkins  iV-  Ilankeii 
were  in  the  throes  of  monetary  death  I 

Giroud  I'ros.  iSc  Co.,  ('uban  ( 'omniis.-ioii  llou-e,  were  rated  in 
July,  lsT4,  by  Abdvillop^'v  Sprai^iie  Co..  al  "  I.  l.l,  I""— that  i^.  capi- 
tal, from  s;3(>(>,(lO()  to8D0U,iMi();  cnMlii."  wry  hiizh  and  undoubted." 
Van  Tuyl  I'c  Co.,  I'ankcrs.  beini;-  about  to  discount  their  jiaper.  re- 
([uosted  a  special  report.  It  confirmed  the  I'atini;-.  Within  a  lev 
weeks,  and  while  the  favorable  report  was  still  fre.sh  in  memory, 
(liroud  Bros,  ct  Co.'s  iirst  note,_/(^;'  d  .^hnill  sum,  went  to  protest, 
and  all  the  others  followed  suit,  to  the  confusion  of  the  Nation- 
al Park   Hank  and  Van  Tuvl  <S:  Co.,  the  tru-tiiiir  subscriber.^  to 


BO 


Tin;   COMMERCIAL   AOEN'CIKH. 


]\rcl\ill(>|)  iV  Spr.imic  ('i).'s  iiiii'('li;il)lr  iiilurinntiiiii   or  imrMrhiii'ilo 

L'SSCS. 

.1.  M.  Ilradstrc'ct,  iSc  Son  will  ;i(Torfl  us  tlin  m-xt  illiisliMtion  of 
])r(>iMiiiii^' iiifonimtioii  on  wliicli  llicir  KuhscrilnM-.s  mv.  cxitrctcil  to 
uiiikf  y.id'  hiirji'Mi'iis  mikI  salts.  1\\.  L.  Obordorfc'r  tfc  (Jo.,  AV'lioIcsalo 
Lii|iiors,  Syracuse,  wci'o  inquired  abniif-,  in  XovcnilxM',  ls7i*.  al  llin 
])rinci])al  otlicc,  in  New-York,  Hi'adstri'ct,  had  tlicii  no  olUcc-  in 
Syra('iis(>,  u  city  of  r)0,()()()  inlial)itaiits  and  controllini;,' one  of  tlio 
f^'ivafc^t  stapli"  products  of  tlic  State — Salt.  In  flu:  cnicrirfncy  they 
■wrote — not  tcl('i;ra[»li('<l,  for  clieajtnoss  is  evorytliiii!^  — one  AVil- 
liani  ()'( 'oiior,  corner  Fayette  and  South  Salina  Si  reefs,  the  keeper 
of  a  small  l)asenient  restaurant,  wlio,  althonii'h  otherwise  an  excel- 
lent man,  was  as  wholly  unac(piainted  with  the  ^tandini;- and  ci-euit 
of  Ohenlorfer  iV  Co.  as  an  Ahoriyine  may  he  ]>resunied  ignorant 
of  the  Transit  of  N'enus.  ()'( 'oiior  nsed  to  show  the  inipiiry  with 
comniendahle  ]iride ;  joked  his  customers  on  llie  de\ious\\ays  of 
commercial  credit,  and  relied  on  the  courtesy  of  >ome  one  to 
"V'/A  an  answ(,'r,  which  he  could  not  <lo  himself.  To  add  to  the 
value  "f  the  e]>i.-tle.  it  oui;1it  to  1  c  said  that  neither  O'Conor  nor 
the  writer  e\-er  heard  of  Oherdorfer  until  the  arriv  '  of  I'rad- 
sli'cet's  ([uery  ! 

( )ne  of  tlu!  danti'ers  of  this  nietliod  of  rej)eatin_ii;  inquii-ies  and 
trustini;'  to  random  in  tlie  aiTair  of  an  answi-r  may  he  noticed  in 
tliis  comiection.  Ih'ad^treet  S:  Sou  were  called  on  for  a  report  of 
one  -losiah  Tasker  in  tlu;  same  yeai'.  They  f-ent  Iiy  post  two  hnn- 
(Ii'imI  and  lifty  miles  for  the  matei'ial  for  an  o])iinon — to  Tasker's 
.sou-indaw!  'i'he  New-York  ci'editor  jirohahly  understands  hy 
this  time  tlu^  old  u;entleman's  notions  alxiut  his  owii  standing'.  As 
to  Ih-adstreet  A:  Son,  they  will,  i»f  ct)Ui'si',  l)e  ohliy-ed  to  tlu^  writer 
for  posting  ihem  u[)  in  the  Tasker  fanuly  history,  and  hinting  that 
ii  slight  rehate  of  suh>criptiou  ouglit  to  he  allowed,  in  this  case,  to 
the  iiKjiuring  iirin. 

(ioing  hack  to  Dun,  l>ar]ow  i^'  Co.,  we  eloso  this  cliapter  witli 
foui'  pri'gnaut  exam])les  of  the  consequences  of  tlieir  negligence 
or  conqtlicity,  the  i-eader  can  decide  whicli  or  neitlier. 

In  \)\m,  JJarlow  &  Co. \s  Reference  l]ook  dated  Jcniuar//,  1S72, 
occurs  the  following: 

"  Oswego,  jS'.  Y. — AY.  11.  TIerrick,  i>i\,  Af/t.  for  v/fc,  Com- 


'i'llE   .SVSTK.M    KXrOSKlJ. 


51 


■IICO 

|ST2, 
roin- 


iiiis.-ioii,  etc.,"  rati'd  '•  K"' — then    tlic    Ikwc^I    r;itiii;;\  and    imaiiiii:;- 
"  iicitfii  I'  viipilal,  noi'  ci'tiHt,"^ 

111  tlio  Hi.rt  issue  of  till!  n(Mil<,  July,  iNTii,  tlic  sanio  ix-rsoii  was 
i-atfd  "  V  2"— ii;lti(),(iu()  Id  ;sl'."»(>,0(»(i  ;  criMlit,  >•  IIi,:,di." 

NoTlllMi  IIAIi  UAl'l'IC.VKI),  MKANTlMi:,  To  \V,  II.  I  I  IIIJUHK,  SlC, 
liXCKl'T    I  UA  T   III;   IIAI»  I'AIK  SldO  Sl  i;st  Ull'llii.N,  "  I'l  Kia.V  ( ).N  (ilMlNDS 

OK  I'KUsoNAi,  it;ii;M)siiii',"'  as  mm  UTiKii  statkd! 

Ill  tlilri  iiioiitlior  .Inly,  Is7:.\  ^[(dvillop  iV:  Sprai^iu;  Co.  K.-I't  Ih'r- 
rick's  raliiii;' //Ao^/',  and  Howlclt,  Lalliro])  iV  Co.,  of  <  ).->\Vfi;'o,  ^«.  \ ., 
and  otlu-rs,  sult.-crilxi's  to  the;  Pun,  Uarlow  iV  ( 'o.  Anviicy,  bitti'i'ly 
coiiiplaini'd  oL'  the  clVt'ct  ol"  .such  a  iialpuMc  pcrs  (M'sioii  of  ink  and 
pajicr.  'Ihcy  were  Alillcrs,  and  knew  Ilirrick,  Sr.,  widl  through 
^raiii  si)eculation.  Jlurrick  knew  tlio  A_i;vn(y,  *•  went,  oiu;  hcttur,'" 
and  ]troin[)tly  failed  for  a  sum  Avliich  cannot,  he  called  less  than 
respectahle,  and  uroatly  enlari^'ed  liy  tlu;  friemlly  '"C  l',''  on  :;-ruunds 
of  ''jjerfscjiial  friend.>hi|)."'  Ili.s  liahilities  were  ,sl !•;>,(;;;',). 5i*,  with 
wry  small  assi'ls,  and  tlio  estate  is  now  in  nankriiptcy. 

.Vhoul  the  L".Mh  April,  ISTo,  the  Toronto  and  Montreal  .sii!)- 
f^eriher.s  of  Dun,  Harlow  it  Co.  enjoyed  a  startlin;^;  surprise — if  we 
call  that  a  surprise  which  the  coinnione-.t  acquaintance  with 
Agencies  .should  have  taught  them  to  expect.  .V  fashionahio  young 
gentleinaii  named  Zevy,  or  rather  going  I»y  that  name,  entered  \\\v. 
(Jity  of  Toronto  sudiii'idy,  made  his  way  to  the  Agi'iicy  ( )lUce, 
and,  afti'r  a  short  preluilo  of  engaging  conversation,  told  Mathews, 
a  partner'.s  cousin,  in  charge  of  the  JJranch,  that  lu>had  just  arrived 
from  (u'rniany,  was  ahout  to  oi)eii  u  AVine  and  Si»ice  House  in  the 
City,  and  carried  in  his  pocket  a,  letter  of  credit  on  one  of  tlu; 
local  hanks  for  1^15, (»()()"' to  [)ay  dutic^i.  on  the  iirst  con>igninents 
of  stock  of  the  ]»uronl:  (ierman  House""  to  its  I'oroiilo  protege, 
^[atliews  duly  gave  the  customary  attention  to  the  statement, 
did  not  go  to  the  trouhh;  (jf  verifying  it  hy  calling  at  the  dc>iguat- 
c  1  Hank,  and  wrote  down  Zevy  ifc  (.'o.  as  a  new  iirm  of  unduuht- 
ed  capital  and  credit. 

Whetlu'r  from  conlidence  in  his  arrangements  with  ^Tathews, 
or  in  utter  contempt  of  the  Ageiicy"s  i-imulation  of  effective  iii- 
([uiry,  Zevy  did  not  deign  to  hurry  himself  in  executing  his 
swindle.  He  opened  a  Store ;  hought  in  Toronto,  at  his  leisure; 
extended  his  s[)eculations  to  jNIontreal,  where  the  Agency  re[)ort 
stood  him  in  stead  of  capital ;  hought  largely  there ;  .sold  his  pur- 


pansr 


^i 


U 


1i 

m 


:i*i 


'I 


.rj,  'I'm;  (■'j.m.m;;!:(:iai,  A';];N(;if;.s. 

(■!i;i,,  (•;■;  In  ijx;  •.if-iuil)  nf  'ri»i''/)il')  \vilii(;iil.  <m-i'  l.il-;iii'^'  lliuiri  IVoiii 
llic  i)(r]/'»t  ;  ;i)nl  liitvin;.^  auia  <:'l  .•/II  lln;  jiioik;)'  lie  wjint':'!.  <;Xf<!j)l, 
v.liat  lie  1j;i(|  t^y.cw  li)  lli(;  .\'.'(ii''y  'ii' ;iiivj,  ;-1  ii';!-:  'ijt  ii  (•;i."<l  i,\)  hi; 
'VuyiiWhi  i,iiiij<i.-i II  tli;i!  llii;  <Ic:ilii  ol'  Ii!-,  \\iit\\]iv  lii,-"(;,S:-itat(;<l  !i 
Vl\  III'll     In   '  ii-JllClllV  1 

\\  ;iJi)'  ())!';  \v;tiit-:  1<)    !:iiow    \vl);it    lli''    .\I(;)v:li;uit  •.    of    Moiiii'dul 
;ui'l  'J'lij'iiil'i  lliiiiiv  ol'    ,\;_":ii<'ii: -,    \'.i    ;.'i,-n(rai    ;t;i'!    !)iiii.  Harlow   ^ 

('<!.' .;   Ill    J;;(i'licl|].i!',   |i-l    lll<   111    |j|C||ti<;)i    /•.•S\    1o   .1.    IlojX;     A:     ('o.,    ^^' . 

I'.    I,i:\',i      A'    ^''1.,   0)';v    ■,      of     till'     'lo/.i'Ii     olll<-r     l!i(;r"li:iIll.S      h\vi(l'll'''l, 

;;ii<l  l)(;  com  iii'-iij. 

'I'll'  j()'i:-(,'ii1  jjiana'/cr  oT  iIk!  Moii)  )'(;il  llj'aiifli  ].,  W.  W.  .ImImi 
i:<>u,  v.lio  h-(;(,iji,4  to  lia\(;a-,  ill  iiii;k  in  ;;ivin'/ hitli-faftioii  )■/ ,:ih-ci'il, 
ci'.-i  us  »itli'!r  of  liis  ))f(;(|<.'C(:>-Hor,~.  A  ,  jn-cia!  friiji'l  (if  hi,-,  nj*  lo 
.liiiic,  l^T"',  v.ash'i  nani<'-als<;  John  .ton,  ol'  ih'-,  jii-;ii  lA'  !'jn|)<'y, 
John -Ion  A-.  (  o..  Whoh-  ah'  l»,"V  (ioo'l-,  Si.  Ilcicii  ,-ll'i;':t,  i-,iil),-<-fih- 
<■!>,  and  I'atf'l  "  \)  \ '/'  that,  i.-^,  caj.ital.  ''X.".'".'.!*)'*  to  .^IviO.OfMr"  ; 
(;n:(|it,  "  lli;.'h.''  In  the  la  t-incj.'l.ionc'l  niont  ii,  not  willi.standiii;^;  lh<! 
ralin;.',  tin;  lifiii  fail"  (1  i'o)' sHI'i.O*)').  of  whi'li  lo.-,  ]ai-;((;]y  <li,-;li-i- 
hiit(-(|  l)(;tuc(n  th<;  liaii!;  of  Moiil  r<-;il  ;iii<i  ('h)'i  lian,  (ianlti^^  Co., 
iJanke)'-,  Not.i'i-  i>ani(;  (■li''-ct,  i,i-<  i'i^1^\S)<\U  ,i,ii  ij  hi  j',i',  rl  ij  ,  Im  rij,  il  h, 
/iil.i'i:  hr/  II.  r,  ,,i/,  1/  il  ji,,.~:  ■,!)!,    Ill  ,-iiiii'!i     I'lii-    r, ,  rii  ii,:.lii  III-,  ,:  jliihil.        1 1, 

ii)(jj(.'arfi  tlial>  tho  .Mana;.'i:i'  \va-,  not,  (-((nii  n1  uilli  j  illn^;  hi-.  Iricinl-: 
fuvfjj-ahly  lo  tin:  Lit:  he  '•  >l)ainini< '1  thcni  uj/'witli  lianh.i  atifl 
Danki'i';-,  lie  n-jn-i: -(nteil  i.,  Mi-.  An;/!!-,  of  the  iJanl.  of  Mon- 
treal, that  the  liian  wa  I'e  his  j^aflieiilar  fi'IiMi'l  :  ;  that,  he  had  aee-cHH 
to  their  llool;-:  and  that,  they  •::>-vi:  una  allahle.  in  credit,  or  cajJ 
lal.  '1  o  Ml',  ('hri  tian.  <if  <  iii-i.Mian,  'iaiilt.  ^'c  <  o.,  he  cfunicd  t.he 
like  ]M;J',-.onal  knowled^jt;.  liolli  ;^e'nlleni(;ii  helie\ed  him,  ;ilid 
within  u  fort  iiiizhl.  J'Jnijjey.  .JiJin,  ton  <V,  ('<>.  weic  in:ols(,'nf,  with 
$l(;o,()()0  liahiliti<;,-;: 

Some  year-:  airo  l);ivi,- A:  Weill  failed  in  the  f-anie-  ^'ilv,  and 
Henry  i).i\i-,  iV'  ( 'o.  !■<;-<•  on  'heir  ruin  and  ci,imiif-ncid  anew. 
'I'licy  hiih.-crihed  $7"'  lo  the  Agency,  and  L'o'  a  \iry  f.t\orahle  J'at 
hi'^  iind  [irivate  rcjjin't,  in  conhcjiuiiici',  fi-om  Mana^'c-r  John, -on. 
In  June,  Is;.",,  they  failed  foi'  hetween  i^TOO.OOi)  ami  >'^;')().<)(i(),  and 
•lame.-i  (.'oiirt,  their  A.-;d^:.''nee.  has  olh'i'cd  /- //.  c //Ay  im,  lln  ilnllur  (ni, 
l/nir  I  iiihil  il  I'  'i  lo  lli'ir  ml 'mi.'-.  In  other  \',<*rd-.  thej-e  h.id  i/cen 
iio  c;i|)ital  ol  anvac!v<nnt  in  lh(;li)'ni:  laif  the,  |,risale  i(-)/oi1,-  of 
the  Agency  liu'l  hee'ii  ii-.ed    in  their  fa'.a^r  l»y   i-oniu   nndei-tandinL'j 


Jij:  r.Y."n:\i  i^xj'o.;i.i>. 


r/.i 


f.  Ill- 


uml  a   l.VuUV.Uh:    !>ai,kr„pt.y    h,::,an.^    ,H'aHi..,h!,..      I.il;..    ,|!     ,1,- 
M;mu..r     .|.i,,,.,.,    ,;,,.,  ,,.,j,  ,.„•  ,^,^^  ^^,^^„,^,.  ^^_,  ^^^^^^  .,,^,., ,;.  ,,_^^ 

an.lu-ouJ.ln:p,.l,.,..,n,y.ilW,.;,:.|i,nily    of  i,i .  n.n.r  ation 

;":V "■  r?"";:';'"'  'r^'"^"""---  '•■-  -'•  -vn  i.,.., ..  a,. 

,  ,     ,  '  '..     a    MOIJ.I.       I,,      I!,,.     ;;n.J„.„;.,o)l    t,i     ClIJM.T 

''"'l"-v.  .Io)h,-,!o„  A'  C...  or  II, M/   Da   i\cv  (  ., 

^>|";-iM..lavof    Mav,   JV;s;  li.,!..,,    Ma.iaHa,,,  .1.,,.,.;,,,  I. 

<v>ii'm;.ic,  aK.v/cjV'i  as  jollow  >•:  : 
_  '■  '  •'■■"  ■v.v.u-r.  tiiM  a  iimnhcr  Miir-Til;,.  |„  il,,-    \.V,.„ \,u 

.'"''■'•"■;"■■:'  "■'■/''"■■ --^ '  '>'"i.  >u.r:  ,1. ,1.  ;„rL.,;..,, 

•,/'////,-/  ,/  /„  /;,  ,„,.,„.,.,,.,  ,,^,,1  ^„^^  ,,i;,,ii,.-^ 
^.    ;•'>''   •'-'-.,.  10  ;.ay, hat  svh.M   a    M-r-ha.,,   .ivs  a  .orn.H, 

ol  hUf-h  M<_'Jr)iai/l.  f' 
11':  an  ••,\('jc<|  ; 

..      "^^^^    '^-niM,.:.    .,u,,H    .riKM,.,,   „.    ,,:vv    ;a.^M.,M.^^.   .■;„ 

.  '"'•';  ''-V^'  ^"!'^  "^'"'•''  -^"^■"^"'^"<.v,  1  .1.  .0,,  ,.,„.i,],.,  ,,;„ 

<.v-/i  uj,.-,i  ih.-v  oMaju  <-,n-.;r'l.  i,,fo)'!„atioii.- 

l''--t!i'T  o;i  )■„  Jii-,<;xaijii,iati.,„  il,,;  nitn--,  ,...i,j  • 
jii-^-'au...Iu.  Mana,.r   i'-.r  Hun.  liaH-uv  .^  C,.,  •..,,,  „,,, 

„•;;:;;,;"'''::'' ..,, ,,, ,,,, ,,.,  .i,,^^,,  n,. ,,,.,., ,tai,i;.i„<i 

ijitI  nil!  loii,-. 
'l^iii.s  .Mr.   .Ma, ■far!;.),   \-  \ 
Muna;,.r  ,..  !,.n-,v.    .-   ■  ^^  ,:>,.,.  in-,,  ;    h,„,    j,„    ;.    „„l,.,-.a,|,    ani 


i )  I L' 


":  ;/''i)l!'(,),an  wlio  a!|.n\,-,i   an    .Am(.„,-v 
^■"'  ^'''";    i'"!'    ii-    I-     nim|,-i-    „atli"  an.'l 


)<:|<U1< 


A -policy 


i';';'Y  ■     ■       -^^^'mv   r-poH.      If:,    ,daii,.ns    uili, 
"""-""'    '^'-    """'^    liUl.    of  ,h,.;,.    n,l„!n..     ,.    n.n.^ 


:a 


TiiK  Cf'.MMi;!cr.'fAi-  Af;);N';ii;,s. 


m 


Iriuici',-.,  !i<:  (^crtuiiily  <,ii,'u>!(:.s  iii  to  N.-uni  tin;  ]i!o1i(..,l  chiiino'l  l.tciill  v 
of  the  iimi;i*Htioii — iiaiiiclv,  '■•  Ihnt  It  coabl  rtiiv  Jilrttifi  'tDdlionldiiij 

W'oll,  l.h4H  Ik  rolrc-liiii'j-,  wlicllifi-  uc  ci.ij-ifici-  Ito  cuiidi))'  or 
moi'iililvl  '••  Ituihiiii^  lii'iiis  witlioiil,  iii(:;ui>,"I  I-,  it nol  (Iccoyijio 
hul).sci-il)fiv,  into  cii-dh'nt'^  hwiji'llei-.s,  uml  I  -;  not,  (|<;(;oyiii^'  fuh.i'-i'i- 
bci'n  into  ,siif:li  cni'lith  jdavinL";  tin;  rof';  of  ;;.  coiififictico  ofjcnitor  for 
ii  hliai'f;  of  tjic  "  .-\v!i;r "  ^  Ami  _y(t  tliis  o|»|jort.iir)ity  was  tlio 
fufiilty  ulii'-li  Mafiai;ci'  Jji^j.-ilin  llionLilit  fo  Ik;  in'iht,  a—urinii;  and 
convinciiii^  wlicn  he  \vaiif<:'l  a  loan  or  dc-ii-cd  a.  ^  uli-ci'ipt  ion. 

Tli(;;-i(;  fa(;tK,  hoi<;i.'ti-d  at,  i'andoni  from  tlioii-aiids  <fccni-|-lni;;  ail 
fiVf'T  tlif!  foiintry,  leave  no  I'oom  to  <loidjt    - 

I.  'I'liat.  tlif,  A!.''''iicic,s  arc  a  ^Az/oy'v,  a.s  well  as  a  ui' iKin-^  to  tlui 
!)ii:-ine-s  eonmiunity. 

II.  'i'liat  they  are  often  i;_''no)-ant,  and  ju-Mfoundly  I'edde.s.-;, 

III.  'I'hat,  tle'V  ai'i!  moved  to  the.M;  ext  raoi'dinaiy  freaks  hy 
(•(I'tL.sitl.ci'al.'ujiis  oj'  ,'<'iiin,  /.■'i ml  ,-iillieienl,  to  ovei'coiiie  the  hei'iiph.'S 
iiiid  (:ir(:iiiiis[)(jetion  of  an  oi'diiiai'y  caution  or  a  politic  .silence 


TIIK    SVSTKM    KXl'OSKlA 


O.J 


CIlAI'TKIi   \'ffl. 


'IHK  rrrAN'fiMS  I.\  SlliSCRICTIONS-WirA'l'  'ACSKS  'J'HKM  V-'IKK 
AfJKXCIKH  AS  WITXKSSKK  A(JAI.\ST  TIIKMSKI,Vi:S -^'I'lIK  (>U>  .\SU 
XKW  A'MtKKMKXTS  AXI)  Si:<  I!!-;'!'  r||;ri|,Alj  -  A'l'TKMl'TS  K, 
l)\A'i:  Si:i5.S<|;ll',|.:i;,s. 


Will,;,  llic  ;iM',;||,.i,;,s  wciV!  lir.-f  Jul  i-oiIh^tm]  fJicy  .'iskcl  I'-.r  foiifi- 
'I'  !)'•<:  unfl  piitj-oiK-iLfc.  o/i  l,li(;  'j:vi,\\\\i\  of  j)i-()in(.f in^r  siifc  liM.liiiL'-  l*v 
~\M'-hi\  ].;iio\vlc(l;rf.  ciin-fiilly  iif(juir(<|,  \>y    littiiiL;-    |hthoii-.      Tlicy 

f)IV;f(:lH|<;(l  to.Mflvli;itif.slli;it  tlicy  collM  Hl)i),ly  tll<;  |.lufi;  of  |,ci--o|'|- 
;il  iinjiiiry  ami  -cciirc  ;';cii]vicy,  |.n)!iij»l  ly.  o\c|-  alar;/!;  extent  of 
'(■i-ritory  will)  tin;  same  (teriainly  a.  o\-ei- a  .-mali  one.  Ti'm  \- (litcii- 
■-'1  iIi'm'i-  cljai^'r,-  Mh  llii^  l,a-i-;an.|alt|joii;.|i  -lieldree  aL'enei,,..  !,;,,.•(. 
«'xi,-,te(|,  in  onr:  fwi'iii  oc  aiiotlier,  a  conjoi.  i  life  (,f  '.)'•}  veai'^,  tliev 
ii.'ivc  only  Lecn  aide  to  ae'inire  frotn  :,'."..' )i )  »  |,,  ;;n.()o  »  \-eai'|v 
Hiil).scril)Cf.s  in  the  Cnitcd  States  an<l  Caiiavla.  Kveii  ihi-,  flicjr 
lii^liesf.   HiK-cess  as   to  niimheiv.  i,-    the  re-nIt  of  aeonstanllv  shift- 


iiiLT    ,Hih.--fi'ij)tion      the  niiinher  of   .snh.-i-riher 


who  have    paJil    and 


willidrawn  <!iinn'_|-  fhf  temi,  lire'rl  of  \\,(-  alFair  or  in<li-nant  at  its 
iiHC'IcHsiicss  or  hail  faith,  heiii^r  at  lea.-t  iiOd.DiMj  !  'J'|i:ii  j,  to  hay 
their  o\i>t.(!iife  has  hern     pi-eserve'ij,  not    hy  the   e<,ntiniie,|  .mij.j.oiI 

f;/  III,, I  rr-<i„rli,l,lr  jHirthiii  of  I  fw  .si/l/.srrllp  ,:s  iI-Ik,  l,(li:f  InnI  r.rn/r',. 
r„rr  of   f/,r     no  I'll  .<  I  ,f  I  h,     I n  si  U  lilh  n, -,    hill    hv     t  Imj  S  loul  V-)  ,ro- 1  ilrr"! 

n;~iilt-,  of  eanva:.-inM;  in  new  .|iiar|eiv,  raiin::'  ww  iiani",:,  ;-ei-\  inL'"  :i 
fraii(|iil(;iit  ciid,  or  hhowiniru  rod  to  new  enti  rj.ri-e  .  It  mav  even 
!)';  doiihted  if,  in  the  three  Siih-ei-ij.t  Ion  f,i.  I  -  .,f  I)nn,  ilnlow  i^: 
Co..  .M.d\'illo|,^V  SpraLnie  Co..  and  .1.  .M.  JJrad-treet  A;  Son,  ono 
hundred  sul)-eia'h'-r-'  names  r-a,,  I.e.  f,Minil  who  hiive  kept  flioir 
Mih  eri|,tion.  intad  for  a  p'-rlod  of  ten  year^  "on -eeiit  i-.d  v,  ev(jii 
v.-here  the   name-,  lirm-',  and  hii-iiiess  eontiniie^  idenlien'  ! 

Thi  fael  is  a  |>n -naiit  j.roof  of  what  ihrj  Hiihscriher.-,  think  of 
tiie  .-y.-tem.  Coaxed  r,r  hiiilied  into  it  at  the  Htait  ;  ii^iiii,'-  it  as  u 
means    (,f    1<-iiiporary  ravdit    for    a    jKisdiij-    |Hir])OH('.  we    v(;t  find 


^23^ 


F'ifr 


i)U  '1III-;    ro.M.MKKCIAL   AUKXCIIiS. 

llxin  <li'<i))|ilii'j;  ;(W;iy  IVmii  il  :il  lln'.  tir.-l(i|)|j<)rl  iinil  v,  ;'iiil  leaving' 
1,lii'  luail  n|'  its  cxai'liDii-  tu  \tr  l)(ii"/ic  hy  himi-c  iiii -oiihi.-t  icatcil  aii'l 
l('.-,s  cxiicrifiiccfl  r(H'i'iiil.>. 

ir  \V(;  cxaiiiitic  till!  Ii»\\('i'lii^'  nf  tlu;  prctciifCT  in  llic  aijciii-ics 
llii'iii,  elves,  \vi'.  will  f-i'c  a  .-iiiiilai' (-liaii^c  ijoiii^' on  \cai'  Itv  year. 
1:1  J'act,  iKilliiii^'  aliuiit,  f  liciii  is  M)  ntiiiarkahlc  a.i  t  hi'  :-i;ir  ;-ii|)|.li(:i| 
|)l(i')r,S  wliii'li  tlicy  allid'il  o/'  tr,  ^A.v//v  /o  rnhiiu  t/nir  airi,  cldniis  lo 
iirtiuuiiij  (I  till.  /•i'f<ji<))ls:ihil  il  1/ iix  I/ki/  ijrnir  1,1(1,  r.  'Ilii-;  i  not  llic 
1,(;n(|ciicy  of  liotic.-,!,  liii.sinc.-s.  W'liatcvc  r  may  happen  to  an  ol(|-(;,s- 
tal(li,-lic(|  lion.-c.  ouin;^;  to  \  ifis-^itii'lcs  of  tra<lc,  it  is  always  hiir(!  lo 
claini  an  incrca-c  of  facilitii'- an'l  a  hcltci'  i  xpcricni-i:  in  catcfii'i^ 
to  tlii^  want.-,  ol'  cii^loMU'i's,  as  lini(!  pa:->('S.  ( )n  llic  otlicr  ham  I,  tli(! 
iigcncics,  as  they  i;row  in  ai^c.  Ic-sfn  their  ]>rctcn.-ion: .  ainl  aft.c'r 
starting-  into  liio  on  the  pici  of  pi'omolini^  trade  liy  ;i;ivin;^  rcliahh; 
inioi'maf  ion  ahout  tradcis.  ihey  come  out,  al'ler  a  lonii'  st  I'liij'iiie  foi" 
(!.\i.-1enee,  and  disclaim  e\(i'v  thoiiiilit  of  "jivinL!,'  tiii.-i  worthy  or 
relia'iht  intelli^-eiice  I 

The  mo.-l  llaiirant  example  of  this  iwl uflia  <n/ ahsa rdnin.  \>V()- 
(M.'ss  is  to  lie  found  in  contract -i  made  l»y  Dim,  Hai'low  iV  (  o.  with 
their  :-iili,-ciih(;rs.  '/  /n  i'<ich  dud  'rritsnti'i  inj  a  re  ifjuull  if  <ipjil  irahie 
to  Ml- Killnp  {{:  Sjiriiijiir  Co.  iiiiil  •!.  jl/.  IIi'iiiIhI rill.  ((■  Xo//,  hut  \\i\ 
select  the  liist  named  lii'm  in  pi'eference,  l»(;caii,-e,  they  hava;  more 
clalioi'atel V  and  lately  . 'supplied  irs  with  conchr-.ive  ar^llmenls  (;nt 
of  their  own  months. 

Here  is  a  copy  of  the  lir,-t,  or  old  aL;;re<iiient,  as  it,  i.-i  known, 
liia<l(^  liy  the  agency  : 


'I'iii',  oM)  a';i!i;i;mi:.\'i\ 

ll.KMS    OK    SlIiSCI.'ll'llON    To    'Mli:    MiiRf  A  XIII.i:    AcW.XCV. 

"  III  cmi -ii|ir:tlii)ii  rif  Uii' Mirni'imtit.  licri-Jiy  C'iit.c;ri(l  iiil'i  hy  Dim,  Itiuluw  iV  Co.  to 
•'  lnriiir-li  -iM  riii;  iii>r  or  Tiliai;  Aiiii.nv  iiifonnuliun  of  lint  .Mcr''iilitili',  Slniiiliiiif  iiiid 
"  (aiilit,  I  ill  tin:  (■oijiiiiiiiiilii-s  v\lii'|-i'iii  tliiy  rcs|ii:rlivily  rc-iili)  nf  our  (•ii>t<iiiic.i-:i  iiiiioni^ 
"  Mil'  Muiiiir;i<-l,iii'iT.-,  .Mcrdiaiil-,  'I'liiiliTs,  iVr.,  (linnii^liDiil,  l.li<:  IJiiilcd  SUil.cs  iiiiil  in  \\v-: 
"  D'liiiiiiidii  (if  rjriailii  coiici-riiiii.;'  uliDiii  we  li;iw  DicuMnn  to  iiiiilvi:  iiiipiiry  -//  unUr  /<> 
"  (till  im  il)  i/i  fii'iiiiiiiiiij  tlif  prii/tiii  II/  iif  </iri/i'/  riii/llj  ui',  til''  iiiii|iT-iL;M''il,  ilo  hrii'liy 
"  coiistltiiti- :iii(l  iipiioiril  Kiiid  Dun,  IJili'luw  iV  Co.  "m-  ni/ml.i  lo  iirorui''  mill  fiiinish  lo 
"  11.-'  Ilii- iiil'oriiiiitioii  iifori':-iii(l,  ill  iiccoriliiiiii;  wiMi  tlic  I'oll'jwiii'i  nil's  lunl  ,-li|iiil;iUoiii, 
"  iiiiil  uilli  wliicli  \\i-  iiifiTc  to  coiiiiily  fiiillifiillv,  lo  w/t,  : 

"  I.  All  iiifniiimlioi]  l'iinii-lii-il  iis  hy  biiiil  Dim,  liiirlow  iV  Co.  .■■liiill  l.c  r-ti-ictly  cotili- 
■'  (|i  litiiil,  '(/('/  nil  rjli  inl'il  ri/ioriK  lire  hi  l>c  irml  id  l/n.ir  nffu'r  to  us  (jr  lo  ;-ilcl)  coiilldi-u- 
"  t.i;d  clerk  !i.i  liiiiy  \ii:  ulltlioiii'.rd  liy  IH  to  irccive  tin;  kuiih!  huIijccL  to  llii  ir  rr;ful:ilioiis. 


TiiK  s^^s'|■!•:\l    kxi'oskd. 


57 


"  Aii.l  s'lirl  Dun,  l!:i)l')',v  .'c  (',,.  k|i:,|1  pn-piin-  rmM.ur  ii  ■.•,  uik!  |.i,irriii  cuv  Uii-i,\w^,  n 
"  iiilnlcd  t:ii\iy  of  a  iJcfrnnfi'  li(„,U  iirrpuriil  liy  tlicm  coiituiiiii]';-  i;il,iii;,'.  or  fiini-|uiii(-i 
"  of  lliccntdit.  <.l' hiiniiii:  ,-i  iiicrj.  An't  nil,  iiiijnlrii-i  itl  //'/-o- -,///.,■,  us  iiUo  ;i II  u-c  wi;  may 
"  |]j:iki:  of  Kiiid  lOfci-rijcc  liiiol.,  hliull  l;it  cM'lii-ivcly  ronlijicd  to  t.l|i;  |c-iUiMul.-.  im.iiin.srt 
"  of  our  i-l:il)li.-^llllirllt. 

"'J.  'I'liit  iiifoiw/mlioii,  ripoi-U  or  r:it,iii'^'.-i,  luid  luiirMiiL,',  uiiiclj  ui',  ouj-  ;r..'r|j|.<,  or 
"  rli:rks  may  hi  olilaiii  from  Dun,  Jiarlosv  i*j  Co.  .■■Ii'iil  /in-, ,■  in.  nui/  »•<///,  /,</,/■/,, 7;,,', 
" ''"/'.'/i  "'■''''"■''"■"•')'"' ''"'"""""•'■"'"^  t"  t/ir /,iiK>iii.\  rrii'ii-h'l,  nor 'o  ans' olli'-r  pi  r,  on  oi- 
"  pcrsoui  wlialivi-r  othi  r  lliini  llii;  irH.'iiilnr,-.  of  ouj-  linn. 

"  '■>.  'I'lii:  i-aiil  I>uri,  li.iilow  iV.  Ca  .shall  jirovidi:  Mii:rriHi|vi:s  svitli  t.lii'  nanni  of  l,aw- 
'•  vers,  tlirou;,diout  tin;  L'tiilcil  .States  and  in  tin;  Donilnioii  of  (,'an:ida,  carifnlly  :-:(;l(:cl(;(l 
"  a-i  to  capability  and  I'ljiatiilily,  (,f  wliicli  \vi',  luay  avail  (jur.-iidvi-.-i  from  liiin:  to  limi;  as 
"  occa.sion  for  llii'ir  profc-nional  t^crvircs  in  our  liu.-ini'.-.i  may  ari.-'c,  or  haid  Dun,  i'.ar- 
"  low  iV:  ( 'o.  !-hall,  if  svi:  prefer  it,  tal^i-  rpiu  .ji:  of  oiii'  loljiiiiou-i  tlii-m.iidvu.i,  on  tirni-; 
■'  cu  -loiiiary  in  lh;d,  dcpartnjint  of  lliiir  l>n  inc-s  to  r'"_'ul.ir  .-nli-icrilji-r,--. 

"  1.    \V<-  will  pay,  in  advau''!',    for  one  yai-V  .  irvin-.,  i,f 

"  mid  Dun,  I'.arlow  it  (.'o.,  to'^etlier  willi  IIk;  n.ii;  of  :  aid  U(dVri-ne(i    iiook   pursuant  to 

"  till;  fori'.^oini;  conditiun.-,  and  at  tin;  cmiI  of    montli.s  from  tin;  d:iti:  hereof 

"  we'.'.ill  return  t'.ie  .-aid  llefereiie-e  Iiook  to  -aid  i)un,  Ikiilow  I'c  ('o. 


'■ ,      ....day  of    ,      li     .•' 

Il    will    l)i;  Iiol  icc'l    lli;it     litis  ;iL^l'(i:lliClil    |)l'i /\i(lfS   fof  I  lie  ;|ocilcy 
lii'coiiiliio;  1  111;  ;iociit;-  of  .111).  (■i'il>(;i-.s  iiicfcly  In  fiinil  -li    "  1  'i  tlic  hcst 
i»r  tlicif  ;i!>ilily  ill  t' ifiiiat  loll,"  iti'.,  in  ni'ili^i'  In  ;iiil   ill,.  .-iil)-cfilicf,  of 
prliici ji.il,  v// ^AYi"/'/// //'///y  ///'■  jiriipi'iil If  tij  <ji ri inj  fr< 'I il ^  i;i  r   laiis 
.Not     l:,;.l.ll,\  i:    I  lit;     ,\i,l,.\(V    IVolll    t  lli'  eolisisiilKjlicr,-;  of    iollo)-;Ulf'i',  cf- 
I'oi',  or  iiii.--1:ikc,  li.-i  .-iidi  ;io-cnt-.       \V'li;i.l(;vcr  cl.-o  iii;iv  In-  ■ai'l  .•ilioiit 
it,  il  ccft.iiiily  lii'M    oiil,  ill  l';icl  ;;ii'l  liiw,  tin;  iijc.-i,  of    .sowio  it-|ioii 
siliilily  (or  IIk;  iiif'^riiiiilion  coincyi'il  :  ;iiiil   1)\-   jut,  .'-o  iiiiicli   \\a\  m\ 
(:;iriir,-t,  ol  ;i,  prcl.ciK-c,  of  .  oiik;  kiml,  for  llio  <'oiii])cii.-;il  ion  r(;.'i'i\(;(|. 
.loiiic'l  to  ;i  lii'lii'i' lliat,  the  \vsi:w^^  ])o.-s(;.ss(!i|    facililif!;    for  cx.iiiiiiia- 
lioii   ;-ii|):'rioi'  1,o  tliost;  of  ;i   private.  iii'livi<liiiil,  iiiiil  \\;\~,  in  <'<)i|.tant, 
ainl  (•.\clii.'-iv(;  (;.xcrci;-i(!  of  tlicin,  this  strono'  ])r(;siiiiipliott  of  hdii"- 
ri-.-|ioiisil)h;  for  till;  coii-c'iiii'nci--;  of   errors,  iiiIst.:ik(,'S,  or    io|ioraiic(; 
went   far    to    deceive   I  he  |iiihlii.'    in  the    lirst;    iii.--tanee.      l''or  a  lono^ 
|ierioi|,  In  caii.-e   of    |-e>l  ric)  eij    ci  jciilal  ion,  or    the  few    1  ran -.ii'i  ions 
niaili!  A'/// /'/  <di   aL;(;ncy   inl'or,iial  ion,   or  tin;  \-a;^ueiie.-,  >  ol'    the    i;i- 
forniatioii  e(in\-ey(;i|,  or    the   jii'lieioiis  si;tt  h-iiiedit,  liy   eonijiroini.^e. 
liJLdier    imiIiil;.-,   or  <tt  h(;rwi.-e,   of    (.•laiiiis   iiia'le   aL^■lill.-l.   ihem,   the 
true   intent    and    i<iiriio.~e   ol    the   ao'eney.    to    hi'   and    reiii.ain     iri-e- 
.•-ponsilih',    wa     I!'       -u.-peeled    or     le'oiio'hl     into     .-erioii     i|!ielion. 
The  a'/eiicy   j)r«;».  iTC'd   the   piihlic  .-hoiiM    helie\-e   in  aeeoiiniahiii- 
ly.      'I'he   helief  increa.-(;d  .siih-eript  ion  ■.      Snh-crijdioii.-,  eiioiioh  a!  ■ 
laii'.ed   fo   :t.-snre   the  enleriiri -e,   the   true     intent   <rf    ih-    a^.n-nr'v 


58 


TIIK    ('(J-MMKIiCIAl,    Af;!;.N  CI  !■;,-'. 


Ill 


llii^lit  l)(i  (■■■iiTicil  diif  ;iiii|  |ir<'lil;ti)|c  cva.-iuii  |)ri'jict  iinlcd.  As 
tiiiK!  |);i.v,~c(l,  lidw  ever,  .-nine  :-iiliMTll)crs  licrc  iiiid  iIicit  \\cr(! 
fitolisli  (Mioimli  to  i-flv  wliolly  nil  sfutciiiciit.s  riirni-licd  ;  llic 
(•oiis(;(|ii(!iicc,s  were,  (if  cuiirsc,  diMistroiis  ;  flu;  silU'clci.-  fciiiiiiiclic- 
c'l  recl;iiii!iliiiiis  mi  the  ;iL;i'iicy,  and  IIm^  lallcr  u  liccdird  tliciii 
iiiti)  <)iiii'|  a-  lic-t  !t  cniiM,  and  turned  to  ":-i'\cn  ov  *-'vj:\\\ 
leading;'  Ir^fal  iiiind.^  of  \\\c  ciiuntry"  \'t>y  t!ir  |iiir|)(j>"  nf  (Icvis- 
iiii^  a  "new  aL';r<'<'nieiit,  ■'  wliicli  should  lei\-e  tlieni  li^;ally  irre- 
s|t<)n.-iliie  to  MihscrilxT-,  witlHiiit  (•all^ill^;  flic  sii!,;('rilicrs  to  di- 
covcv  that  they  were  heiiiL''  cozened  out  ol'  riLdits  ali'cailv  paid 
for.  TIk!  tollowiiiii;  is  tlu^  result  ol'  tin;  laliored  ('(jiisitltalioii 
lictwecn   tlu;   '"  h'adinn'   leiral    minds  of  the  couiiti'v''; 


TKK  NKW  A*;i{i;i:Mi:.N'r. 


•II  i;m<  ok   -ciiS!  kii'IIon   to  tiii:   \ii:i:e.\.N/ii,i;    A(.i:mv. 


'■  .Mi'iiinntriluM  iif  III''  iiuTi'i'iiicnt  lut '.vnn    I)iiii,  liirlnw  iV'  ('".,    )ir(i|iri(  loi-s  of  II. i: 

'  Mi'rciiiailc  Aixi'iicy,  nil    11 iic    |orl,  aii'l  lln'    iiii(|ri>i!j:iicil,  Mil)-cril)rr:,  to  Ihi:  mid 

'  a;^i'ncy,  on  the  oIIiit  put,  iiiiinly  : 

"  Tlir  siiiil  l'ni|iii('i(ji-:,  ;irc  tn  coimiiuiiicMtr  to  ii?,  on  n'i|ti''-t,  for  our  ii~''  in  our  liu^-i- 
'  IK-'HS,  iix  nil  tii'l  to  IIS  ill  ilili'i'iiiiiiiini  III''  jii-'i/iriili/  (if  i/ii'iiif/  i-rn/il,  Midi  iiiforiiKi'ioii 
'  urt  till'}'  limy  posscKH  coiicfniliii,' till'  imi'I-ciiiiHIi-  .-!;iiiiliiiu' iiiiil  cri'iiil  of  .Mit<'Ii:iiiI>, 
'  Tniil'i'-,  .Maiuifuctiircrs,  ft''.,  tliroii'j;lioul  tin'  I'liiird  Sbilis  iiinl  in  tin:  Doininio'i  of 
'  Caiiuilii.     II  is  nujri'id  tliut  siicli  iiiforniiition  has  maim, v    iiKi:N,  ami  siiai-i.  maini.v 

•  ui:,  or.i'Aisiai  and  roMMisiiATia)  liy  'crvanl-,  rlcrl<s,  iitloriii'ys,  iiiul  riiiiiloyci's, 
'  ii/i/niiiiliil  IIS  niir Hiih-iiiji Ills  ill  (iiir  hi liiilf  U\  till'  Miiil  Dun,  I'lirlow  .V  Co,  Tlu'  ^iilil  in- 
'  forinatioii  to  111!  coiimiunicutril  liy  tlio  naid    Dun.  liarlow  it   <'o.    in   acconlaiici!  with 

■  tli('   following;   nilus   and    stipulation.-,  with  wlilrli  we,  Huli.-ciibcr.-  to   tin;  ai;rncy  uri 

•  afo^l•^aill,  a'^rri'  to  coniiily   faillifiijly,  to  wi!.  : — 

"  1.  .Ml  viM'lial,  uritC'ii,  or  prliilrd  iliforniation  r'oniiiiunicati-d  to  u-,  or  to  -iicli  i  onli- 
'  dfiitial  cli'ik  a^  may  In-  aulliori/.iil  liy  us  to  ri'iiivi-  tlir  mii/H',  and  nil  use  of  tli<'  l!ifrr- 

•  t'licii   Hook    lirri'iiiaftir  named,  and    th'j    .Nolillcation  filieet  of   coriTction.-i    of  said 

•  liooli,  fhill  lie  slrietly  conlideiitiul  and   (■.\clii>ively  eonrmed  to  the  bu-iiic-s  of   our 

■  (•stablishmcnt,  mul  ilmll  inn  rhf  rniiimuiiii'iilnl  In  l/ir  /iirsnus  i-rjini-liil,  nor  to  liny  oilier 
'  jxTson  or  person^;  wha|e\rr  otlur  than  niemlier    of  our  lii'in. 

"!).  Till'  said  Dun,  IJiiilow  A  Co.  -ham,  n<pt  hi;  lii.r-i'eNsiiii.i;  rou  anv  i,os-i  cAi-ia) 
i!V  Tin:  m:i!I,i:<:t  oi--  anv  of  tiii;  said  si;u\  am-,  attdunicvs,  ci.kiiks.  ash  i;mi'i,iivi:i;s 

IN  IMtOCIIilSfi,  COI.I.I'.CTINd,  ANI>  COM.MfNlCATINii  Till:  HAIII  INTdltM  ATK  iN,  AM)  Till; 
A  IT  I  A  I.  Iri>l/i  nrrorrrrliirssiif'  »iiil  infnriiintinii  i.i  In  in>  mnnin  r  ;/iiniiinluil  I ;/  tin-  mill  Ihui, 
i;.irl'i"i\-  I'll.  The  iielion  of  .--.lid  u:;eney  heiii'i-  of  m ce-slly  almost  entirely  eonlldcn- 
tial  ill  all  iU  de;.iirlineiit- iiiid  detail'^,  the.  said  Dun,  Harlow  iV;  Co.  shall  never,  tiii- 
dii-  any  eireiiiii-tanees,  lie  rei|iiired  liy  the  siili  erilnr  to  (ii-elo>e  the  liiiine  of  any  such 
servant,  clerk,  utloriiey,  or  (•niployie,  or  any  faet  whatever  coneerniiis;  him  or  hi.'r,  or 
eoiieiTiiini;  the  niean.s  or  soureer>  hy  or  from  whieh  any  information  so  po-se,-;-ed  or 
conniiimieatecl  ua-  ohtaineil. 

'•  X  The  said  Dun,  Harlow  ii.  (.:■!.  urn   henhy  reiiuested  to  iilaee  in  our  keepiiiir,  for 
<.ur  exelii.M\e  lie,  a  printed  copy  of  a  Uefereiice-Hook,  contaiiiint,'rutinf.fs  or  murkiii-rs 


TIIK   SVS'I'KM    KXl'O.-'Kii.  :,[) 

"  <'f  (•.sliiiiiili''l  f^M'"''' "'"'  ri'lnlivi' ci-i'ilit.  tt:nii|iri'.^  of  hiiiI,  )iii-itir,s  niPti  a-^  !iforc:,;\i(l, 
"  |irc[)iiri'tl  livlliriii  or  Hi'i-Viinl^,  clri-U^,  att'inn-vs,  iiud  inipl'iyi'iv^  af(j|'i>iii(l,  lu^'clhi'i- 
"  with  NotlliciiUiiii  Sliii'l  of  cMiri  riiuii-,.  W't-  fiirilirr  ii;;nc  thai,  iipiiii  Ihr  <liliv(iv  lo 
"  iH  of  any  Mili^ciiinnt  cdiliuij  (if  thi'  Kcfcrciici;  Hook,  Ihit  (iiii:  now  phici'd  In  oiir  hamli 
"  Hhall  hr  Kin-ri'n(h'riil  to  thi'ni,  anil  also  Uial,  npon  thi'  tiTMiinatlon  of  onr  rilatJ(jM  an 
"  sMlisrTihi'rs,  tlii'  I'opy  tlim  rcnuiinin;^  in  our  hanils  i-hall  he  L'ivi'n  ii[i  lo  the  ^aiil  Dim, 
"  Harlow  iV:  Co.,  it-  Injn'j;  i  I'-aily  inidi^r.stood  :'nd  iif;''''''''  "l'"ii  that  lln!  tide  to  said  !;.■. 
"  ffrcnci'  Hook  is  vc-Ird  and  riuiains  in  :;ald  !)ini,  Harlow  iSl  ( j>. 

"■1.  \\'(i  will  jiay,  ill  advanci', dollars  for  one  ynnr'.s  ficrvici's  from  thr 

"  (latchcriof,  of  naiil  Unn,  I'.arloWiV:  (jo.,  loj^rlhcr  with  the,  iisi' of  said  Rcfcn^KM'  Hook, 
"  pin-siianL  to  tin:  fori-i,'oinL;  <'on(lilioiis,  and  snrh  other  sinn  annually  thcn'aflfr  for  llii' 
"  Kiunu  Its  may  licj  HLjntcd  ujion  hctwrcn  n-  \crbally  or  otherwi.  '■,  sulijeet  alwavs  to  the, 
"  conditions  and  obligations  iiliovr  nn-ntionid. 

'■  o.  Dun,  Harlow  \,  Co.  ai-i;  hcri-hy  ["riMitl'-d  to  jv.sc/c,  I:,  lliri„yilr(s  Ih'- ri'jht  l.i 
"  lifiii-iiiiiti:  llili  niih-ii-rijilinn  ni  niiij  fiiiu-,  on  Iht:  r'liaynirnl  of  tlie  anioiint  fur  thr  nno;- 
"  pircd  portion  tlnircof. 


" ilay  of  IS    ." 

'J'lii.s  new  ;iorcciii(.Mit,  if  only  ii-cil  uifli  new  siiliscrilicf.s,  wuiiM 
1)1!  ."imply  ail  o|)('ii  (■(.iii'o.sioti  that  I  Ik;  aL-'i'in-y  lia'l  (lisccjvtTc:!,  anil 
was  ready  b>  admit,  in  a  r<>iiii<lalj(jiil:  way,  its  iiiromjictcncv  as  a  I'c- 
s]'<iiisil)l(;advisrf  ;  in  it.  used  as  a  siiltstil  iitc  with  old  siihsrrihcrs,  who 
h  id  p.iid  their  hundreds  or  tlioii>aiid--  ol'  dollars  under  the,  old  con- 
tract, it  was  nolhino;  h'ss  than  a  i;i'o~s  <leci'il,  re|ii|o-n;int  to  thi; 
minds  of  all  lioiiorahlo  merch.int  ~,  devi.--ed  \,\  \\n:  "seven  or  cii^dit 
IcatliiiLC  le^'al  minds  of  tin;  country."  I'oif  iinately  we  lU'ed  waste 
IK)  Words  in  characterizing,^  this  coiidii'-t.  The  ao-encv,  hv  the  fol- 
lowing' .svwj/v,/  (■u'i;iil(ii\  d.ali'd  March  Dili,  IsT."*,  and  I'orwanled  to 
branch  ollices,  renders  langiiatrcj  other  than  its  own  siiix-rlliioiis : 

•■'riiK  NKw  A(;iir,i:,Mj:.\'r.' 


(i'i;i\  AiK.j 

•  To  -MANAfaats  : 

"  The  (;.Ki;,'cii(:ics  of  iHi-ine^';,  and  tlic  adajit  ilion  of  \\v  .Nt'Tr'antili;  .\i,omicv  then-jo, 
'  have  rendered  nece.-.-ary  SOI1H!  alterations  in  the  'I'ernis  of  Siili-erijition,  in  oriler  to 
'  allonl  us  oU'eetnal  proteetioli;  and,  after  Very  careful  di  liberation  ainonLf  onr-elves, 
'  with  tli(;KiiL,'L;e.stioiis  of  scvcii  or  (■iL;hlof  the  leadiriLC  le;,'al  minds  of  the  emmtrv,  we. 
'  have  adopted  the  aei-oni|mnyin^  form,    nhieh,  w(;   think,  air. rds    ns    tlie    protection 

■  ^oilii'lit,  ami  wlii'-h  u.:  de-ire  ^h:lll  In  reaft^r  li  ii-<  d,  /.,  Ih.  '  ,  .l,,u  tif  nil  ..//„,-.v.  We 
'  furtlier  desire  t  .  h.ive  the  present  form  fxhsfituh.i  t.'"!  hi  dly  in  niakilu'  renewals, 
'etc.,)  for  llid^e  already  siitned.      Th- ,v.  nutij  Im  mmi':  liltU:  IronhU-  in.  i>;i,„f  ihm,  in  in'ti- 

•  lUhuil  cusrft,  hut  II  lilll-  litrl  ,i',l>  •ini-r.hiir  ,7.  .\11  the  old  fcriits  now  III  \oiir  possession 
'  iniisl  be  dc:stroyi-.l  ul  onee,  to  pntvent  th     oo-.ll.iliiy  of  their  bc-irii,'  ii^.  d  after  this 

■  notice. 

"Ill '"'..I.       ion  uilli  tin  ,     in:  to  draw  yoiir  atte,,'' 


00 


TlIK    C'O.MMEUCIAI,    AtJH.NClKS. 


"  now  in-i'Viilc'iit,  more  or  Ic-  ;,  cvcrywlii'n'  -nf  iiskin^',  hy  li-li'^'m],li  or  ]r\lfvy,  wlictlii'r 
"  piirlics  imiiii'il  iiri'  s^ooil  for  spccilliul  sums  or  not.  //  /.i  mi  iilijirlioiiiihlc  jTiria  nf  iii- 
"  qnifij,  fur  im  <nir  run  till  ir/iiit  Hiiuiuiil  iiinj  iiniii  is  (juinl  fur  (III  nil.  iiiilliihlnid  Iruiiniwliiiii 
"  ii'it/ioid  /.•iiiiiri'iii/  nil.  Iii.i  iil/nr  IrniiKiirlliiiis  nl  tin]  hiiiiii'  linn;  In  ifiriinj  inj'nrnnilinn,  miur 
"  «/)/  II  mini  or  firm  i.i  f/iiiiitl'nr  amj  iiinoiint ;  rnl/nr  HiiOxHlnlr  for  It  it  fnrni  nf  ixiinnsion. 
"  iiiori'  !/iiiiri/ril,  1)1/  mii/iin/  l/it'i/  (ire  '  I/idiii/IiI.  In  hr,^  nr  '  mi/i/iii.icil  Io  In;'  or  '  mir  iinprinsiiiii 
"  it  l/ny/<ms<i,\-lc.,v\c.  We  liiivc  [i  Iroiililisoiiic  Hiiit  now  hi  Montroul  y;rowitii;  oulof  this 
"  olijcctioniilpic!  imiclifi',  iiiiil  iilllioii'j;!!  we  Imvi',  no  !;riMi  inKMislno.is  iihoiil  its  llniil  di'ci- 
"  sion,  slill,  we  feel  HiUUHcd,  it,  would  not,  liiivc  ht't'ii  cotmiicnccd  iit  all  if  tin;  oliji'i-- 
*' tioniilili' form  of  rxprivs^ioii  li;ii|  not- liicii  used.  We  wiml  to  ili.sninrn;/i:  ,-iniln  i|uil(; 
"  iis  niiicli  iis  to  ilifiiiil  thi'iii  stn'ccs.sfiilly. 

"  //  in  nrij  isxcntin/,  I/ml  llir  i/mslinn  nf  linliilili/  .slnmlil  lie  iHy.nisy.nl  ns  litHi  nx  pnssihU: 
"  Wi'ihi  mil  ii'nni  pnhllr  allnilinn  nr  tin'  nU'iilinn  nf  niir  Silbiicribir.i  ilrnirn  In  it  iininresHnri- 
"  ///,  iiinl  i'v  llnrifiirr  ilinirr  i/im  In  /.'iip  l/ii.f  fniiiinnninilinn  iin  innvli  nx  jm.'isi.lilc  to  i/mirsrlmi. 
" 'I'lid  |)li'ii  for  IIh:  siilistiliilioii  of  tlic  new  TcriiH  of  Hulis(ri|ilion  must  l)r,  ijiiit  llu; 
"  oriLTiiiid  contriicl  w:is  fi'Miiird  ?Tiiuiy  ycai's  .iljo,  Ijffon^  llu:  Ici^incss  had  assiinii'il  any- 
"  thini;  Jiko  its  prfscnt  niatjniliidc  ;  that  il  did  not  rover  llic  licfrnncc  UooU  and  Noli- 
"  llcatiou  Siu-et  ;  thai  it  ri'(iiiir('d  all  rc|iiirls  lo  Ik;  read  at  the  ollicc  ;  i/ml  tin'  jiriinipic 
"  of  prii'ilii/nl  (•iiiniiiiniirnllnnx  c'k.s-  mil  r/.s  irdi  innlrrnlnml  l/nii.  as  mm;  and  llial  tin;  wholi! 
"  (liifsllon  of  Akciu'rh,  owiin^  to  ri'C'diit  di'i'isioiis  ill  Court,  had  liern  so  niiudi  cliaii'^- 
"  C'd  that,  under  the  adviee  of  cininenl,  counsel,  we  had  decided  to  luaki;  home  iieee.s- 
"  pary  alleratioiis,  in  order  lo  liavc  the.  relaluins  between  our  subscribers  and  ouraeives 
'•  more,  clearly  delined,  etc.,  etc. 

'•  W'f  are  truly  yours. 


"  Ni;w-V(.UK,   .March  U,    l.s;,->." 


(Si-iiedi  "  DTN',   li.M'J.OW  Si  CO. 


This  o-('iier;il  (trdi'i*  I'roiii  the  Aufciicy  ti»  its  flci'ks  to  ciiliM"  (»)i  ;i 
pysf;eiimfi(' course  of  drccptioii  witli  tlio  ])ri!i(*i|);ils  of  l)f)tli,  is  n 
Yixvii  and  instnictivc  lesson  in  A<j;en(y  morality  and  methods. 
!^^alla!i;e^.s  systematically  tauo'lit  to  alToi'd  their  Co-Agents  "  eil'ec- 
tiial  protection'''  by  lyini>;  to  the  man  who  employs  both,  must  be 
i>afe  and  iit  i)ersons  from  Avhom  to  (;x])ect  conscientious  ratin;.;s  or 
to  withstand  bribes  !  Low-salaried  clerks,  far  removed  from  the 
2>roteci'i n<j  movdlltij  of  tin' ]>i'inc>p(d  ojjlce  iih  jVeio-Yo/'Jc,  and 
drilled  Avitli  elaborate  detail  in  tricks  of  sleii^ht-of-hand  sid)sti- 
tutioii  of  one  thino;  for  anotlier ;  enjoined  to  the  use  of  tact  an<l 
the  finest  phrases  of  vei'bal  di.-simulation ;  exhorted  to  npjireciate 
the  essential  necessity,  in  this  business,  that  tlie  (Hie.stlon  of 
liability  slioidd  iiof  hi'  ilrdini  in  ih<'  hi'iuijx  of  .siihstci'ihi'fH  ;  these 
snrcly  must  lie  fit  and  proper  o;uardians  of  business  menV  repu- 
tations and  D;aiiovrs  of  commercial  honor  I 

Hut  tlie  force  of  this  circular  lies  in  something  else  than  its 
inculcation  of  deceit,  and  dissinmlati(Ui,  ;ind  paUering  words,  it 
concedes  away  the  whole  raixoii  (Vitro  of  .Vgencies.  their  reason  to 
be,  tir  to  be  regarded  as,  Zi^ma^f/c;  estublishnients.     If  the  Agencies 


L 


TFH;    S^'STKM    i:.\l'()Si:i). 


CI 


cull  /A' 6VV  say  '•  ;i  man  or  liriii  /;  <jn(„l  r.,r  (iinj  iiniouiil  ; "    if  "  rio 
'•  Olio  can  toll  what  amount  any  nnn  /.■  n-oi.d  fur  on  an    individual 
"  lran.s:u;tioii    without   kiiouin--  all   his  otlin-  transactions  at    the 
"samolimu;"'   if  tlio  A-'cncic-,  do  no!   j.rclcnd   t.>   know  th(;so,   ur 
CMou^di  of  tlicm,  to  have;  an    o|.inion:   if  ihcv    (-an  only    say  tlicy 
"  havo  an  im[)rossion"'  of  a  man,  or  tin;  man   is  -  lliou.i^-lit   to  he,'" 
or  only  '•  supposed  to  he,'  m.,,,,,]^  ,,r  in  orodil,  what  can  tJio  A^-(;ii('i('s 
<lo  to  (;arn  ss,0(,(),0f>()  a  year  ^     They  conccdi.!  their   in(!oni|)etency 
hy  .St ij.u latino-  to  evade  resi.oiisihility.     'I'hey  iidmit  their  i.-^nuraric'e 
hy  pi'ovidin-  for  lis  e\i.re.,>ion  in  tlu^  most   .self-i)rotectin--    w^ViU. 
They  say,  in  olfect,  all  wo  can  ,say  of  them:    they  arc;  willin^i,'  and 
iinxious  to  <,^;t  the  jMihlie's  money,  but  what  to  return  foi-  it  ii\cej)t 
faeilities  for  fraud,  hy  third  [)artius,  must  remain  ,1  pi-ofound   mys- 
tery to  tiiemselves  and  tliu  iniblic,  '•  j^Ki6.siug  undur^tauding." 


I 


C,2 


THE  COMMKUCIAL  AGENCIES. 


ciiAi'TKii  rx. 


DISPENsiATION'S  OF  PIKA'IDKNi'F,  olt  WIIA'I' v— 'I'llI',  Sl'.CUF.T  BLACK 
LIST— WIlA'l'  IT  IS,   WITH    I  LLI  STIt  ATloNS. 

A  i;i:m;ui:\ci;  to  Uk;  Secret  Ui'])i)r[s  and  Ulack  Li>t>,  jjrcscrvcil, 
read,  Mid  ciroiilat'cd  on  ivi]iK'>t  hut  iiL'xer  [nihlislied,  is  now  in 
order. 

In  I^.aid<ing'  and  iici^otiatino;  liuilroad  Socnritii's  tlicro  are  icw 
older  or  more  stable  houses  than  ^I.  Iv.  .Fcsu]"*,  Paton  A:  Co.,  i')'2 
^Villianl  Sti'c^et,  New- York  C^ity.  Tlieh'  credit  has  never  been 
donhted.  They  are  reported  in  tlie  Itefereiieo  P)ook.s  as  '•'  in  un- 
'•  douhteil  ci'edit,"'  Call  on  Dun,  I'arlow  i.*e  ( 'o.,  and  yoii  will  he 
fortliwith  i)ut  on  your  u'uard.  The  i>erson  in  cliargc  of  their  Xew- 
^'ork  City  Department  will  tell  yon,  with  a  knowing!;  leer,  "  Jcs- 
'•  up  lias  taken  cari^  of  Xo.  1  all  his  life,  and  "will  continue  to  do  so." 
If  this  l)e  not,  pulilcicnt  to  startle  you,  he  Avill  add,  ''lie  is  not 
'•  considere(l  hy  s(jme  very  reliahh>,  not  strictly  reliable,  and  ouly  be- 
'•lievcd  safe  for  enji-agonients  when  strictly  deiiued.''  AVliat  elfcct 
tliese  sardonic  utterances  may  have  had  on  A.  T.  Stewart  iSc  Co., 
the  ^lerchants'  I'ank  of  Canada,  and  the  various  others  to  whom 
tliey  have  been  retailed,  we  know  not ;  l)ut  they  are  strange  thiii,i^s 
to  say  or  wi-ite  of  a  gentleman  mIioiu  the  Agency  is  obliged  to  ad- 
mit is  d'orth,  oi'cr  one  mill'ion  dollars  and  five  of  outdanding 
dihls  f  AVo  think  it  maybe  said,  however,  that  A.  T.  Stewart 
has  bought  no  exchange  thi'ough  Jesup  &  Co.  since  this  coward- 
ly and  unmerited  imputation  was  iiuijarted  ;  and  that  Mr.  Jesup 
lias  continued  to  forward  subscriptions  to  his  secret  assailants,  -with- 
out "  caring  so  nnicli  for  Xo.  1"  as  they  would  have  people  believe. 
With  the  information  now  first  imparted  to  Mr.  Jesup,  is  it  too 
broad  to  advise  that  he  increase  his  subscription  and  await  results? 

..iVmong  the  long  catalogue  of  merchants  favorably  reported  iu 
the  Ivefereuce  Uook  and  sul)jected  in  the  Secret  lieports  to  such 


I 


Tin:    SVSTKM    KXrOSKI). 


:i>i)(M".-iuiis  (tu  tlicir  l)ii>iiu'.-s  iiliilitv.  ;iiul  .-iii'li  iiiipiitatioiis  dii  tlcir 
iiitciirity  •>!'  cliariictcr,  ;i-i  we  Iiiivc  initiccd.  ,1.  iV  W.  Si'lii^iii;m  iV 
('ii.,  the  wcll-luinwii  (Mi-in:iii  naiikiiii;'  IIoii.-i",  whose  rstiiii:itr(| 
casli  ciiiMtal  is  Hii.diin.diMi,  liUs  a  (•(.iispiciioiis  place.  This  i^wnt 
lioiisc!  lias  stoml  ahusc  eriliri-m  ov  siis|)iiM(iii  since  ils  (irt;aiii/.al ion. 
I'anics  ha\-e  conic  ami  i;'oiie  aii'l  left  it.  uiiairecteil.  'I'lie  e-jiecial 
faNdi'ltes  ol'  Mercantile!  and  Coiiiiiiercial  Ayeiicies  lia\-c  siiiilc 
around  it  hv  the  liiiiidrcd.  'I'rial  iiiiy  ]tv  said  iievei-  to  have 
rcaclied  it,  I'or  !t^  roiindalions  Wi'w  laid  in  the  eternal  vcritie-;  of  a 
])racf  ically  ine\haiist  ilde  ca[iita.l  ojieratiiii;' on  an  iinchan^i'eaMv  re- 
lialilc  (Jerniaii  constituency.  It  could  not  he  assailed  or  depre- 
ciated openly  Avithoiit  stultilicatioii  to  the  assailant  ;  \-ct  it  is 
soc'i'etly  represeiiteil  as  "not  considered  eiitii'ely  reliahle,"  and  as  a 
lioiise  "oidy  helie\e(|  r-al'c  I'or  eiii^'at;-eiiients  when  clearlv  (h'lined, 
'"  If/If/  l''/itr/i    /till/,'.';,  (//ri/'r   i'//  t/i///'/s',    ir<  //  i//7i  /■    /As'   />''•//    ///A/'r.s'As'." 

^'^ut  relia])]el  Where  did  any  Aiivncy  lind  iviii-on  or  authoiity  i'or 
so  sweeping'  a  cliai-acterizatioii  i  Only  iit  to  ho  <li'alt  with  as  a  man 
Would  deal  with  a  iiotoi'ioiis  ]M:4'iie  — ou  a  "cleai'lv  defined''  basis! 
Who  has  evei-  had  siicli  a  thoiii;'ht  of  the  Seliu'iiiaiis  ?  The  hase,  llini^' 
is  without  ihe  >lii;'hte.-t  [>rctenci!  of  truth,  and  iiiiist  ha\'e  heeii  in- 
dulged in  for  some  purjiose  discreditable  to  tin?  utterer.  llow  can 
it  have  an  'Imnoi'dhli-  exjilanation  •' 

The  contrasted  ease  of  Duncan,  Sliei'inaii  Sc  Co.  is  more  recent 
and  as  su^-j^-estive.  AVilliam  Uutler  Duncan,  the  ^[lecenas  of  Xew- 
York  J\[ercliaiits,  the  e\eiii[)lar  of  hi^'h  l)usinesri  and  personal 
lionor — if  till!  Ag-encies  were  to  be  trusted — was  hopelessly  in- 
volved when  they  coiiipliineuted  liini  as  lilg'liest  in  creilit  and 
means;  and  it  sounds  odd  to  learii  now,  from  the  ('(jurts  and 
Orders  of  Arrest,  that  liis  father  was  a  secret  creditor  all  the  time, 
lioldiiif^' the  greater  ])art  of  the  son's  wwA  estate  in  iiiirec(U'ded 
Deeds,  jdaeed  on  tile  for  the  first  time  two  days  before!  the  failure. 
It  turns  out  now  that  the  iirni  was  only  worth  :i  ili'irtl  of  theii'  in- 
debtedness at  the  very  hour  when  tlie  Agencies  were  heralding 
their  "money-making  iiivestnieiits"'  and  advertising  them  to  all 
comers  as  in  "•  imliniited  credit,"'  when  many  mercbauts.  taking 
their  information  from  more  reliabb^  sources,  knew  them  to  be 
embarrassed  for  years  and  in  hourly  danger  of  failure  I  Jii  other 
Avords,  the  Agencies  i-ated  them  wiu'tli  '•  (jiie  million  and  over ;"' 
that  is,  over  all  lialjiiities;  go  that,  in  sul)er  fact,  tliev  were  about 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

V'EBSTER.N  Y.  14S80 

(716)  872-4S03 


Gl 


THE   COMMERCIAL   AOEN'CIES. 


1  p 


ir! 


three  mUl'ion>i  lit  error  !  J'csido.s,  it  is  now  stated  tliat,  instead  of 
]uivin<i;  £''50,000  to  their  credit  in  London,  tliey  really  owed 
.£i;j|),Oo;»  to  the  T^iion  liank  of  that  city — a  further  error  or  fraud 
of  neaiiy  STOO.OOO!  Of  conrse  they  snhscrihcd  to  the  Ai^encies 
and  paid  them  liberally.  IIow  other  suhscriherri  Merc  led  into  the 
C'atastro})lie  is  best  known  to  the  sulferers. 

From  these  seriously-meant  aceurfations  of  incapacity  and  Avant 
of  reliability  ag'ainst  the  very  best  men  ami  firms  in  Xew-York, 
and  false  and  fulsome  eulogies  of  the  insolvent  or  fraudulent,  the 
transition  of  the  illiterate  _i,diouls  of  the  Agency  is  easy  and  natural 
to  the  drivel  of  scandal  and  stutterinjis  of  doubt  ai'ainst  less  re- 
markable  but  ccpially  solvent  persons  and  firms. 

One  gentlenum,  prominently  identiiied  with  a  leading  Hotel, 
and  in  excellent  credit  and  standing  judged  by  the  Ileference 
Book,  is  aniKMinced  in  the  Secret  lieports  to  have  "no,  or  only  a 
"doubtful,  capital;"  as  a  "fretpient  borrower  of  money,  largely  in 
"  debt  to  A[rs.  James  Fisk :  from  this  soun^e  he  has  facilities  for 
"raising  money;  is  of  expensive  and  extravagant,  as  well  as  some 
"  disrej)utable,  habits."  We  do  not  know  what  the  comiacntator 
meant  by  collocating  "disreputable  habits"  with  the  source  of  the 
means ;  Itut  a  more  malignant  and  dangerous  attack  on  the  sacred- 
ncss  of  private  reputation,  male  or  fenuile,  is  not  often  made. 

In  the  successful  Publisher  of  some  of  the  best,  purest,  and 
most  enjoyable  literature  of  the  day,  a  man  whoso  capital  aiul 
credit  are  certiiied  in  all  the  Agency  Books,  and  whose  social  life 
is  certaiidy  respectable  judged  by  any  standai'd,  the  same  ghoul 
has  discovered  a  monster — "a  man  of  notoriously  bad  character,  a 
"free-liver,  a  keeper  of  fast  horses,  and  an  associator  with  males 
"  aiul  females  of  doubtful  character."  The  gentleman  so  assailed 
never  had  a  fast  horse,  as  matter  of  fact ;  but  if  ho  had,  Belmont 
has  a  dozen,  Bonner  more,  and  Yanderbilt  enojigh  to  deserve  the 
stigma.  The  gentleman  so  assailed  never  associated  with  males 
and  females  of  doubtful  character  any  more  than  every  one  is 
compelled  ti>  do  who  passes  tlirough  the  Avorld  in  any  public  posi- 
tion and  is  obliged,  by  his  daily  duties,  to  extend  the  courtesies  of 
life  to  those  Avith  whom  luj  may  come  in  contact.  But  there  are 
men  who,  in  pursuit  of  some  hobby,  go  out  of  their  way  to  asso- 
ciate with  persons  of  whose  "  character"  there  is  no  doubt  whatever, 
as  that  abused  word  is  applied,  and  yet  the  Agency  moralist  is 


11 .    "^ 


4 


TUE   SYSTEM    EXPOSED. 


65 


exceedingly  careful  to  overlook  matter  of  coiunioii  notoriety.    Wc 
can  point  to  at  least  one  liundred  names,  highly  complimented  by 
thorn  for  "  character,''  who  travel  away  from  their  ostensible  busi- 
ness, whenever  an  occasion  offers,  to  frequent  ganibling-hells,  t<» 
l)lay  "sport"  on  race-courses,  and  to  lead  a  life  of  extravagance, 
excitement,  and  conspicuous  sensuality.     J  low  those  persons  have 
escaped    censure  Avhen  better-conducted    men  have  been  singled 
out  for  attack   and  condemnation,  the  experts  in  human  motives 
must  imagine   for  themselves.      Did  they  strike  their  colors  and 
lighten  their  coifers  on  sighting  a  piratical  craft  i     Did  they  pur- 
chase excm[)tion  from  the  penalties  of  the  proscription  by  a  timely 
ransom  'i     The  meudacions  details  which  enter  into  these  infamous 
records  are  not  worth  further  illustration.     How  some  respoctabh' 
and  reputable  business  men  arc  spoken  of  as  ''  onl}'  lit  for  a  public 
''  institution  whore  they  could  get  their  board  and  lodging  for 
"nothing;''  how  family  aifaii's  of  groat  age  and  no  A'alue  are  made 
to  serve  a  j)rosent  resentment ;  how  matrons'  names  are  associated 
with  fraudulent  transactions  of  whicli  they  never  heard,  may  be 
readily  inferred  from  what  has  been  written.     It  is  sufficient  for 
our  ]>resont  purpose  to  say  :     Over  eight  thousand  fonr  hundred 
Merchants  an<l  Firms  in  the  City  of  Xew-"\'ork  alone  arc  rated 
well   and   favorably    as    to  capital    and  credit  in   the    llefcrencc 
Books  of  the  Ay  ;'icies,  and  scandalously  assailed,  to  every  apj)lica>»t, 
iu  their  honor,  character,  and  business  integrity  in  these  Private 
Reports.     Throughout  the  United  States  and  Canada  over  n'mcty 
thousand  others  are  treated  to   the  same  public  compliment  aiid 
secret  detraction.      Is  it  possible  to  reconcile  the  ]irinted  report 
and  spoken  lie  coming  from  the  same  origin  {     If  the  slander  be 
true,  or  bidieved  to  l)e  true  by  the  slanderers,  why  do  they  Ho  in 
print?     If  the  printed  statement  be  trui',  why  do  they  asperse  and 
falsify  ])i'ivatt,'ly  l 

The  manner  of  these  secret  reports  is  as  bad  as  the  matter  of 
them.  The  same  hand  can  be  tn'ced  in  the  same  catch-[»ii rases 
throughout.  It  is  a])j)ai'ent  to  the  initiatcid  that  ignorance  and  as- 
sumption have  joined  together  to  produce  the  worst  possil)lo  kind 
of  c<liaracter-ki!ling  by  the  cluin.-iest  possible  kiitd  of"  weaporis. 
7\nd  yet  is  it  not  an  additional  indignity  to  be  assailed  in  such  sort 
by  nuMi  whoso  own  reputations  have  stood  at  zero,  and  whoso  first 
success  in  life  was  attained  by  obliging  others,  in  self-defence,  to 


1.0 


TIIK    COMMKIU'IAI,    AGKXCIKS. 


hi 


•41 


1; 


siip[)(»rt  tliuiii  i  We  may  forget  that  tlio  assailcM's  of  St-ligiuan  ami 
.Iesu]»  ari!  tlio  oulo^i.sts  of  nil  t lie  most  disastrous  failures  of  tluv 
last  iivt!  years  down  to  Vyse  A:  ('o.,  Duncan,  SluTiiian  A:  Co.,  Allen, 
Stephens  iV  Co.,  Henry  Clews  S:  Co.,  Howes  vV  Macy,  J;iy  Cooke 
ik  Co.,  and  innumerable  others  throu|.^hout  the  entii'o  eounfry  ; 
hut  how  (•(//;  wc  Itecomo  rev.'(»neiled  to  having  ])ersuns  dispense 
reputation  to  our  great  and  reputahh;  ^[erehants  when  one  of  them 
waited  ten  years  to  announce  to  the  writer  that  lui  performed  a 
wisi!  and  honest  act  by  not  absconding  once  with  a  sum  of  gold 
entrusted  to  him  by  the  lM»ai(l  of  Trade  of  Toronto  {  The  ancient 
Thersites  was  a  low-minded  and  vulgar-faced  ruUian.  lie  had 
human  characteristics  and  at  least  one  (pialitication — excellence  in 
blackguardism,  i'ut  to  be  trampled  in  the  dirt  by  a  set  of  Satyrs 
whoso  lower  passions  might  be  typitie<l  by  a  (loaf's extronuties, 
and  whitse  highest  oinameut  is  an  As.-'s  ears— ^can  human  paticiico 
bo  asked  to  stau'.l  such  an  oxtroniity  of  ill-fortune  i 


I 


m 


THE   SV.STKM    EXl'OSED. 


ClIAPTKU    X. 


wiiEHLS  WITHIN  \vm:rj,s-i)i)rr.)iis  i)in"i:i{— and  what  tih;v 

s;AY    (»K   TllKlU    I'ATIKNTS. 

Ii-'  tlio  A<;oiU'iiN  iipprcciMtc  frinid-  likr  Micfar!  iii.  r.r.>\viic. 
Morrit'C,  Ilerrick.  (/*  'id  ihhh!  'j'lnis,  tlic  liiii(pr<)ii>  imivluint  wlut 
vi.sits  tliem  voliintarilv  to  show  liis  ival  iiK-aiis,  or  li-y  to  correct 
their  misrcprcsoiitiition,  luust  not  always  cxpccf  jiistiv-c  or  f;cciiril_v 
as  tlic  coiii|tkMuent  ot"  a  subscription.  'J'/f  /•"/-  /v  f/i"f  .■<>//).^cr/'/>i"'ti'< 
iiioH'tfi/  jiisf  !/i  j>/'iij)i>/'/iii/i  til  tif'  iiiiiouiif  pd'iil ;  Ixit  till'  voluiitci'r 
needs  also  tu  rcmciuhcr  tint  all  the  owiu-rs  of  the  concerns  have 
not  e(pial  control  of  the  ])rivate  ri'[)orts.  It".  1'or  instance,  von  con- 
fess your  liusiness  niattci's  to  Dun.  of  Dun,  Uarlow  tV:  Co.,  you 
niav  look  for  rei)r<ivals  f-roni  the  City  ^[ana^'or— for  thi-  person 
cannot  suffer  any  one  to  think  //<  do'-  not  hoM  the  key  to  the,  in- 
nermost chambers  of  commercial  credit.  The  impoi-tince  o!  this 
liint  is  readily  made  manifest  by  the  followiuLC  facts: 

\l.  AV.  Cameron,  of  R.  \K.  Cameron  i^  Co.,  shippinij-  and  coui- 
mission,  carried  his  lieart  on  Ins  sleeve  to  IJ.  (;.  Dun.  in  .lanuary, 
1872.  lie  satisfied  the  senior,  who  knew  him  welt,  that  his  re- 
sources were  adequate  for  all  needs,  and  his  ri^-ht  to  credit,  if  lie 
desired  it,  perfect.  The  manairer  of  tlu'  Xew-York  City  depart- 
ment, however,  was  not  consulte<l,  and  he  accordinL':!y  acted  on 
tli(3  constructive  slii,dit.  AFr.  Cameron  has  iu>w  f(U- the  lir-1  liine 
the  mortiticationof  knowing- that,  altliout;]!  his  capita!  wa-^  L'l '■!'.'*•>'> 
($2I<>,<X»0),  the  city-departiut'nt  manai^^er  could  only  liud  it  con- 
venient to  phiee  it  at  S<i(i.(l(i(>  to  sT".<'i>"  while  cnuinninicatinu'  w  ilh 
Charles  Pratt  ^'  Co..  Central  National  r.ank.  Hank  of  Ih-itisli 
NtU'th-America,  Uaiiover  National  Hatdv,  and  others  in  and  out  of 
New- York  Citv  ;  and  that,  '-althouifh  standini;-  hit;h  anions'  Ills 
"friends,  he  had  conveyed  the  idea  of  unreliability  to  iier.-ons  not 


OS 


'I'lIK   COMMKKCIAL   AC.ENX'IKS. 


' 

'    i 

\ 

1     ; 

•'.so  iiitiiiKitcly  cuiiiifi'ti'il  with  Iiiiii;"  that  is,  liko  ihi;  nianaijijer,  who 
j)r()l):il)ly  ii(!Vor  s;iw  liiiu  in  his  lifo.  Ho  soon  learned  "he  was,  in 
''(111!  main,  Mil  (Miii^iiia,  and  »»f  doiihtfnl  rcliahility,  ahhon^h  cor- 
"  tainly  prompt,  I'Mcri^i'tic,  ami  (•apal)h'."  The  mistake  of  ealliiijif 
on  the  wmnL,'  man  in  this  ease  shrin\k  .t'r)(>,uoo  into  !S(l(»,(M)0,  and 
etitaileil  on  ii  merchant  and  lirm  of  indubitable  resonrees  and  tlici 
lii^^hi'st.  coninKM'cial  standing,  who  should  never  have  entered  such 
a  place  an  ill-favored  siroma  still  hanirini,',  without  any  intentional 
fault  ol"  his,  around  all  his  enterprises.  In  the  closing  words  of 
the  manaj^cr,  "  If  he  sliduld  i^vt  into  trouble  to-morrow  it  would 
*'  not  create  a  ij^reat  deal  of  surprise,  and  the  universal  remark 
''  would  be,  '  I  told  you  so  I '  "  This  is  what  ho  <ijets  from  j)rayin<!; 
at  the  wron;^  shrine,  a'.id  not  recalling  that  a  brass  serpent  was  the 
idol  to  neutralize  the  poisons  of  the  pilgrimage. 

O.  \l.  Dornian,  president  of  the  .Metropolitan  ( "ollar  Company, 
doing  ihe  large  t  business  in  the  line  in  the  world,  made  the  same 
mistak(>  as  (/anu>ron.  Dun  and  he  were  actjuaintances  of  twenty 
years.  |)uii  thought  him  to  be  as /<»  knew  him  to  be.  The  city 
mauager  did  not  know  him  at  all,  but  ho  saw  through  him  in  a 
flash — tlu'ongh  him  and  his  jidmitted  half  milli(ju  capital — and 
iia/.etted  hiui  '"as  not  the  most  reliable  man  in  the  world."  lie 
was  not.  indeed '*  unsafe,"  but  "your  accoimt  with  him  ought  to 
"he  watched" — as  if  every  man's  account  ought  not  to  bo  watched, 
only  his.  These  words  of  golden  wisdom  did  the  nuxuager  indite 
and  cause  to  be  communicated  to  A.  T.  Stewart  &  ("o..  Wheel- 
wright, Anderson  A:  Co.,  ^[inot,  Hooper  v^'.  Co.,  and  Kilibe,  (Muif- 
lie,  Shreve  it  Co.  what  lime  M.  (J.  Dun,  under  the  softening 
thoughts  and  pressing  duties  of  a  prospective  day's  recreation 
after  the  maTUier  of  Isaak  AValton,  committed  his  departing  friend 
to  the  nierci'ivs  of  the  guardian  of  the  vestibule.  Dtm  ma)/  havo 
been  hospitable  for  the  hour;  but  why,  when  he  left  the  shores  of 
his  ever-llowing  Pactolus  for  Lake  Simc<ie,  did  he  forget  to 
whisper  to  Dorman,  Ci'i'r  oniini — ^beware  of  the  dog  ! 

Even  the  paths  of  Law  and  Literature  do  not  escape  these  per- 
turbations. A  well-knuwu  legist,  ovt-r  whom  the  shadow  of  the 
Tt'if>>i !)•'.•<  tall  tower  I'rstwhile  cast  its  genial  shade,  has  com- 
Tnitte(l  (in  Aijreii.'v  ooinion"!  some  tliro  oiTenco  ngain>t  the 
stringent  rules  of  morality  and  conduct  favored  by  the  Agenty. 
lie  had  had  the  fortime,  or  misfortune,  to  be  retained  and  to  plead 


1; 


THE   SYSTEM    EXPOSED. 


01) 


for  (say)  :i  criminal  and  convict.  He  liad  liad  the  fnrtlier  fortune, 
•  or  misfortnuc,  to  1)0  counsel  (say)  for  an  iiii])eaclic(l  judge,  llolh 
nets  were  in  the  due  exercise  of  his  profession  ;  were,  indeed, 
duties  in  a  professional  Heiise ;  but  their  due  perfornmncc  did  not 
t'.valt  Iiini  in  Agency  eyes;  relegated  him  to  doubtful  compaiiy, 
und  drew  down  ou  his  unconscious  head  these  potent  (It'/'fa  :  '*  He 
"is  not  very  p(»i)ular  with  some  of  tliti  IcKling  nieml)ers  of  tlie 
"  bar;''  is  oidy  '*  in  ftonut  (piarters  regarded  responsible  for  U'gitl- 
"  mate  business  wants;  Ia  su.'ij)frted  o\'  having  no  jn'operty  in  Ins 
"own  name;  is  dabbling  in  outside  operations,  and  cayinnt  be  rc- 
"  commended  to  credit."  It  may  be  of  slight  importance  to  the 
learned  gentleman  what  "some  leadiiii;  members  of  (lie  liar."'  in 
opposition,  think  of  him;  less,  how  "some  cpiarters''  regard  him  ; 
none,  what  the  Agency  recommends  or  omits  to  recommend  in  liis 
behalf ;  for  his  credit  is  unimpeachable.  But  we  should  really  like 
to  know  whether  lie  lost  the  chance  of  a  lawn-cutter,  a  plough,  or 
a  client  in  consequence  of  the  inquiry  of  Vanderbilt  Brothers,  or 
the  ignorance,  malevolence,  or  political  or  personal  prejudices  of 
this  Agency  representative. 

A  Well-known  lawver,  rcsldinu:  near  live,  witli  an  odico  in  Lilicr- 
iy  street,  and  estimated  worth  from  8oOO,Of»()  to  81,000,000,  the 
owner  of  dozeuo  of  houses  and  the  director  of  a  bank,  is  anotiicr 
victim.  lie  Is  cirnounced  as  a  "sharp,  shrewd  man,  who  will  get 
"the  best  oi  .<  bargain,  and  rather  unscrupulous.  Transactions 
"with  him  should  also  be  clearly  defined,  antl  in  'black  and 
"  white.'  "  The  iteration  of  the  same  phrase-  palls  on  the  ear  and 
indicates  the  poverty  of  language  which  may  consort  with  sly 
malice  and  devious  detraction.  What  Mr.  C.  did  to  merit  these 
opinions,  complimentary  to  his  legal,  at  the  expense  of  his  moral, 
character,  we  know  not ;  but  Me  Avould  wager  a  ducat  that  their 
uttcrer  merely  spoke  from  his  own  inner  consciousncsa  to  CKh-c- 
land  and  St.  Louis  inquirers,  and  wholly  without  a  tittle  of  persotial 
experience  or  other  justification. 

Passing  from  the  legal  fraternity,  win*  are  naturally  measured 
by  the  Agency's  standard  of  professional  ability  and  integrity — 
itself  indicated  by  their  selection  of  one  AVhelp  to  superintend 
their  collections  and  bark,  in  return,  at  the  citizens  of  Staten  Island 
— we  come  to  the  treatment  of  literary  men  and  literary  ventures. 
In  this  citegory  of  Agency  effort,  the  jealous  nature  of  ignorance 


70 


TJII';   (OMMKUCIAIi   AUKNCIKS. 


.  ( 

1  '5 


I  *     1 


I 

■1 


till 

I  i    ■ 
\      ' 


.11' 


it 


aii'l  ;il><>  llir  CMiitiousiicss  <>f  cowardico  assnl  tliciii-clvf-.  Wlu'iv 
tliorc!  is  <riv:it  risk  of  discovury,  tiio  Agciu-ii's  cither  omit  to 
vato  iicwsjiapcrs  as  sticli,  or  rato  tlu'iii  liiijlily.  This  is  a  niio  of 
th(!  tradf.  I5iif  whi'i'o  the  chaneo  of  discoverv  is  lessened,  and  the 
puldi.shers  or  editors  eoiiie  to  he  treated  of  in  the  private  reports, 
they  faiv  worse  than  others,  in  proportion.  It  M'euis  as  if  the 
acrimony  witldieKl  for  pi'ndential  re.isims  were  pmre  !  out  with 
greater  unction  l>et'ause  of  the  compelled  restraint  in  regard  to 
jonrnaiisni  ^iropcr. 

( )ur  lirst  e.\am[)le  nn<h'r  this  head  will  he  tin;  treatment  of  a 
Dey  street  compaJiy  of  ])id)Iishers.  Their  papers  are  declarod  to 
he  vahialile  pi'operty,  and  rated  very  hii;'hly  ;  hut  between  the 
months  of  lY'hrnary  and  Xovemhcr,  ls7l,  a  rcmin-kahle  chan^'e 
mnst  have  come  over  the  nu>n  en^au'ed  in  the  puhlications.  In 
Fehrnary  lliey  were  '•  smart  fellows  *' — a  favorite  tei'ni  with 
the  familiar  Immpkins  of  the  aifcncies— and,  "  on  the  whole,  sat- 
"'isfactorv."  In  Xoveiid)er  the  sime  <re!itli'inen  are  ijci-sotis 
"  in  whom  little;  conlideiice  is  fidt :"  who  *•  will  take  ciwv.  of  their 
"  own    iiitere.--ts.  af.   all     /•/',s/,:\\'"'   and    who     "   are    manai^im^  the 

" mnch  to  the  dis>atisfaction  of  the  ]iro[)riet(trs,"  altlion_i,di 

"  paying' pronijitly  and  making-  money."  It  is  nut  fur  us  to  re- 
concile these  sudden  contradictions  of  feelintr  'md  cinMunstance-:. 
But  it  is  fair  to  a.-k  how  the  same  lientlemeii,  "  satisfactory"'  i;» 
Fehrnary  and  '•  making  money"  up  to  Xovend)er,  came,  in  ?so- 
vendier,  to  he  without  i)uhlic  conlidence  and  possessed  of  K)  little 
moral  sense  as  to  "  take  care  of  themselves,  at  all  risks"  i  And  it 
is  also  fair  to  ask  whether  or  not  these  gentleiuen,  and  men  like 
these,  connected  with  the  honorahh;  profession  of  journalism,  are 
pleased  to  find  the  hoohiesof  the  agencies  ^ircsnmiug  to  8ay  what  is 
and  what  is  m)t  "  g(jod  management "  of  oneormore  leading  news- 
l);'.pers  {  AVe  do  not  know  Avhat  elfeft  tlu;  wise-saws  of  the 
Agency  may  have  had  on  II.  (■.  Ilidhert  vV  Co.,  F.  (?.  (Jreen  it 
(\k.  ,].  V.  Anderson,  Jr.,  &  Co.,  Ihilkley,  Dunton  *fc  Co.,  W.  II. 
Parson  vV  Co.,  and  others.  "We  do  know  that  the  assailed  gentle- 
men could  graphically  resent  tin;  impertinence  if  they  saw  fit. 

The  publisher  of  another  daily  news|>:iper,  ami  known  to  ]H)s- 
sess  a  great  deal  of  wealth,  variously  estimated  from  si>r>(Mt,(MIO  to 
.S1,'><'<M>1'0,  a  member  of  the  "Manhattan  Club,  and  a  Director  (»f 
the  Associated  Press,  is   denounced  in    the   sjverest  terms  as   a 


ill 


Tin;   SYSTKM    EXI'OSKI). 


71 


*•  h.Ii|>|ii'rv,  iiuri'lial)!*' man,  iiiililtfil  I'.tr  <r»'<lil  cxi'cjit  nii  tliu  husir,  id" 
"  iK't  ca.-li."  'I'lils  in  suitl  of  a  |>ri>iMi  w  liu-f  wortl  <•!'  Iiniiur  pu-scs 
cunvut  with  all  \\\i>>  Uintw  liim  lor  aiiv  aiiHMjiit  ot"  iimiu'v  ;  whu 
lias  iiuvcr  cuiitott-'il  a  claim  uiih-.-s  ho  ItrlinviMl  it  I'lainliili-nt,  ami 
who  is  rati'd  In  tin;  lutiTciici!  IJook  in  ••/■'///  i^ooil"  crtMlit! 
W'v  Icani  his  iihclh-is  an;  jinxioii.s  to  ivtract  tlii-ir  a.^jH-i^ioiis  now 
that  tlit'ii  SL'crut  tU-l'ainafion  is  cxposi'il  ;  |»ut  wi;  shonld  think  as 
Hull'  (if  tilt' ])C'r.-on  who  wouhl  hi)  Kiti>lir<l  with  >iich  a  rc(juilal  for 
f-o  "jriovtMis  !v  NVi'oii''  as  wu  ilo  «(f  hi>  ti'aiinccr-. 

Tliu  familv  cii'i'li!   is  no  .sifiT   from  altai-k  than   thu  I»ar  or  th  • 


Tress.     Thus  wo    loarn  of  tine    11 


that  *•  III'  takos   too  iiiin-l'. 


'•  wine,  and  is  |»o.>aL'.-si'd  of  un  <  if/i/rin/tinf  irij'.  taal   fa-t  Imr^o-." 

Of    anotlur    "II. ,"  that,   "ho    has   ivcciitly    Itccii    mad-i    no- 

'•  torioiis  by  hid  luvr  for  the;  drama  ;  l>y  hiiii;^  ^lud  lor  divoicc 
'•/'//"  notorloitfi  nthcdllid  •I'lKidlxt  iif'  flu'  Vnrit  fi/,  awA  hy  it  lioinj.; 
"  alli.'j,('d  that  llil-H  ist/i,  htsf  of  ihiXi'  iii(irri(i(i'M,  and  that  /ii.^jii:if 
"  ii'/j'i'  is  .sli/U/'i'i'ii'/ !n  /J/'<ii>/,/>/ii."  'I'lu!  second  "  11."  i-^  coiicodod 
tohu  in  ■•  oxrcllcnl  credit,"  Imt  the  o|»|iortiinily  of  rrcordiii;,' these 
useless  details  in  a  record  could  iiol,  he  mi-.-id.  (  M"  another  licii- 
th'inan  it  i^  told  thai  '•  he  i>  doiiiM- a  lar^e  lni.-inoss  and  thoiii;-hl  to 
"  he  niakiiin'  nn)ney,  Ldi  /v  tni'ii/r,//  at  a,  .sn/'t  iri//i  //ir  ir,i/(/ir  or 
"  <f  iiiiin,  hi  l.-i  ,s(tt'</  lit  luiv  I'llhil ,"/(  it  iiiih'i  r  <  >l  another,  wh<) 
"is  worth  from  !S-J()i»,n(i(»  to sj.'ii  1,111  lit,"  it  is  carefully  relate  1  that 
ho  is  "  am[»ly  .safo  and  ros|»on.sii)lo  for  all  contracts,  Imt  wa^  at  mt 
"  /////'  an  iiinialo  of  the  IWiiy-hamtoii  Iiieliriati;  Asvluni.""  An 
other  will  h,'  .^nrpri^ed  to  icarn  that  his  daw^hters,  li\  in:;-  in  hi.- 
Iioiiso  .-inco  their  hirth,  "  left  him  on  acconntof  a  secoml  marriayt'." 

Indillerent  to  the  reserve  of  home,  the  a;:,'oncios  are  al-o  iiidill'ei- 
etit  totho  sanctities  of  conscienci-,  and  betray  the  bitjoteil  pr'-pos- 
sessions,  of  evi'ry  tempoiMiy  n.anau'cr.,  i:i  the  record.  Charles  II. 
.Vliph'i^ate,  doinijj  ljn.sines->  in  l)ry  (io(.d>  at  .'I;')'*  liroadway  in  1^71. 
ami  as.soeiated  as  ])artner  with  a  hoii.-'O  re|tiited  to  be  woi-th  Sl'oii.im).), 
is  made  the  scaj)e-i:'oat  of  a  narrow  re.'iixions  )»rejudice.  Ileisde- 
iioaiiced  as  "an  tii'ih  ut  M(  //i<ii/i.s/,  erratic,  dilliciilt  to  place,  ea.--ily 
"  persuaded,  sharp  and  tricky."  As  if  '•  ardent  Methodi>t.-"  lo-t  a 
certain  jimonnt  of  btisine.ss  4ualiiieali<.'ii  in  pi-oportiou  t>  iju-ir  ar- 
dor of  reliijioiis  belief  and  their  eai;erne>s  in  j)raeiisin_ic  ill 

The  editor  of  the  "  (Jiu'hee  Saturday  IhidLref,"  ipioled  in  the 
Montreal  /Su/t  oi   September  14tli,  ISV.^,  i^   tmr  authority  for  an- 


s 


H, 


I    ■ 


i| 


I    i 


rr  -■ 


72 


TIIK   COMMKUCIAL   A<iKXCI]:.S. 


ollicM'  instiinco  of  oirciisivc  hii'dtrv.  W'riliii^j  of  the  airoiK'icrt  nijilcr 
Jv  recent  (late,  lie  says  :  '*  We  well  ri'ineiiilter  an  ocea.siim  wln-ii,  in 
"  rejdy  to  an  iM([uiry  eoiiceniiiij^  a  eertaiii  house  in  (^iiehee,  one 
"  of  the  aijencies  llashed  l»ack  the  rej'Iy  hy  telegraph,  '  T/ir//  (f/v 
^■'■lioniioi  ('(ttlioHcx  •  <l(}  not  (jit'f  thrill  any  rredlt.'"  The  (h'scent 
from  higotry  to  dirt  is  natural  and  incvitahle.  On  the  record  of 
one  of  the  aj^encies  in  Alhany,  and  Xew-York,  is  this  cMitry  in  re- 
ference to  Fotsdani  .Iiincti<tn,  St.  Lawrence  County,  New- York  : 
"  Miss    L.  K.    K         k.     Is  an  orphan,  twenty  years    old,  roiiidi/^ 

"  reisidini'  witli  tlie  widow    A v,  who  is  a  woman  of  weahh 

"  and  lias  no  children  of  her  own.''  And  of  anotlu'r  laily  in  Xew- 
Jersey  it  is  i-aiil  "  bhe  has  a  ne:it  iiiillinery  htore,  witli  a  co/y  room 
"  in  the  rear,  and  an  inviting  loun<j;e." 

Two  others — partners— will  iind  sonuitliing  mon>  surprisiuir 
still  in  these  rullianly  re])orl;s,  namely :  ''that  <ii<-/i  <njoi/i'd  tic 
"  companionship  of  thr  othir  wifcs  with  her  huxhan<l\s  con'ifnt.'''' 

Wo  fctop  here.  If  the  reailer  has  any  patience  left  after 
perusing  these  examples  of  agency  literature,  we  must  ask  hiiu  to 
exercise  it  over  a  few  (questions  which  we  submit  to  him  in  per- 
fect sincerity. 

f.  Are  men  moved  hy  the  impulses  displayed  in  the  fore- 
going exami)les  lit  to  be  associated  with  on  terms  of  eipuUity, 
or  any  terms,  by  self-respecting  citizens  i 

H.  Are  men  who  live  by  the  H;ile  of  the  false — where  not 
puerile ;  scandalous,  where  not  inane ;  malicious  where  not  in- 
consequent— reports,  hints,  surmises,  guesses,  criticisms,  and  down- 
right l)lackgiuirdisms  detailed  in  this  chapter,  lit  to  be  recognized 
jis  public  bencfactorG  i 

AVc  select  for  our  illustrations  of  the  influence  of  personal 
bias,  etc.,  on  Agency  Reports  these  sample  facts  of  a  great 
nund)er  germane  to  Xew-York  City,  because  the  i)rineipal  olHce 
cannot  elude  responsibility  for  them  or  pretend  that  it  is  not 
aflectecl  by  the  spleen,  narrow-mindedness,  and  ignorant  preten- 
sions to  which  we  have  referred.  The  effect  of  having  the 
same  fellows  who  i)lay  these  antics  on  citizens  of  assured 
wealth  and  character  in  a  position  to  gratify  like  feelings  on 
gentlemen  of  less  means  and  e(pial  integrity  can  be  readily 
conceived.  Assuredly  the  knaves  who  receive  men's  money  and 
rate  them  well  ojycnbj  only  to  depreciate  and  degrade  thcni  ^rl- 


\  1 


V  i 


THK  SYSTEM    KXTOSKK, 


7;) 


Ci'Uhj  lire  mil  liUdv  ti>  I'l.-it  •(  f  Ic-^s  woallli  m"  ;^n"i';it('i'  si'iisiliilit y  to 
iil)ii8i',  if  a  |Hir[>u&tj  iu;iy  Iju  mi'vuiI  nr  ;i  I'l-eliiii;  irratitinl.  in  <lisro- 
gurdiii^  bolh. 

It  oct'urs  to  the  writiT  that  thcro  oii^jlit  ti)  W.  a  limit  to  pulilic 
furltcaraiUH'.  Tlio  Courts,  wliose  I  rcatli  U  i»iil)licity  an<l  wlios(! 
J nv rotative  U  tsu\X'iX'i<;ii  to  corrcrt  and  reprove  tliinir>  teiitliiipj  to 
tliode.structioii  of  society,  seal  up  from  prying  eyes  the  inevitahh- 
rcconUof  iiiiinan  frailty.  ]A'gi>hifures  pus.s  Siatutesof  Limitation 
t(»  restrain  ami  prevent  discnssiuns  of  personal  eharaeter  only  cal- 
culated to  foment  strife   and   endani^er  social  peace.     ]\[unicipal 


ifo 


ivermnents  set  apart  a  time  fur  removing,'  the  natural  accumula- 
tions wliicli  might  alVect  the  health  of  localities  l»y  hciiig  hrought 
in  contact  with  the  uir  nt  less  propitious  hours  for  human  rest. 
The  Agencies  alone,  hound  up  in  their  own  selfish  objects,  and  in- 
cupahle,  from  their  very  constitution  as  depots  of  ignorance  and  ra- 
])acity,  of  rc>i)ecting  any  tie  however  sacred,  any  reserve  how- 
ever urgent,  any  misfortune  however  retrieved,  set  no  hounds  to 
the  accmnulation  of  matter  obnoxious  in  itself,  and  display  their 
indilfcrence  to  honor,  and  the  comities  of  Society,  by  giving  it  a 
])ernuinent  ho.-'P>itality  and  a  [lerpetual  circulation. 


74 


Tilt;  CU.MMKltCIAL  A(Jt;>:ciK.s. 


CIIAPTKU    XI. 
'I'm:  \\\:v.K\.y  ciianok  siiKirrs-TiiKiu  iNco.MPMrrKXKSS— 

Til  Kill    AUK. 


l^ 


I 


S! 


I  i 


]»i;siiiK  till!  vciu'lv,  liiilf Acailv,  ami  (iiiarlcrlv  IIcfi'iTiH'i'  I'ook.-, 
tho  tliroi!  At^eiu'ic's  iii<liil!;;c!  tlicir  siihscriln-Ts  with  '*  N'otilicaliim 
Sheets."  These  are  supposed  to  \)r  a  true  exhihit  o!'  ila-  iliaiij^ji'S 
ha])iieiiiiiu' within  till!  period  iiiciitioiied  to  over  S(K».()()i>  pcivoiis. 
The  average  miiiiher  of  names  on  llies(!  Shei'ts  is  not  over  thrci; 
liundred.  AVhatever  the  nraiidi  (Ulieesean  \>\rk  np  tiny  report  to 
tliG  J*ri!U'ipal  ( >iru'es,and  the  Principal  ( )tllces  print  and  dislriltnte 
^vcekly  or  monthly,  as  their  eu-^tom  may  he.  The  1ir>t  oUji-ction 
to  lliese  Sheets  is  apparent.  Anioiii^-  .s(»0,(Mi(l  persons  the  lliietna- 
tiun.s  of  hn>ine.-s.  of  a  di'cisive  kind,  nuist  nimdier  thousands  week- 
ly. Let  anv  sinyli!  Mercliant.  in  anv  town  i\\  this  Cowntrv  or  in 
Canadii  recall  the  clianu'es  in  hiisiness  men's  alTairs  within  his 
own  knowled^^e  during'  a  .^ini;le  wei'k,  ami  he  will  immeiliati'ly 
discover  how  incom[)lete  and  inadeipiate  the  few  hundred  in- 
.stances  i^iven  in  the  Sheets  must  he  to  represent  ihi'  changes  hy 
Deatli,  Dissolutions  of  Firms,  Insolvency,  .fudgments,  Fire,  and 
the  thousand  and  <tiu;  casualties  incident  to  the  business  life  of 
45,000,0(10  of  population.  There  is  lutt  a  State  in  the  Fnion,  or 
a  Province  in  the  Dominion,  which  would  not  snp))ly  a  larger 
roll;  and  singh;  counties  in  th(3  mercantile  portions  of  either 
country,  would,  if  adi(piately  reported,  reipiire  a  much  gri'ater 
exhihit. 

The  second  defect  of  these  Sheet  •  is  that  they  are  old  when 
])rinted  and  older  when  received,  as  Avell  as  incomi)lete.  The 
I'o.st-oflice  is  the  means  of  first  eoinimuucation  with  the  branch 
Offices  ;  these  offices  transmit  news  also,  by  Post,  once  a  week  :  the 
Prineii>al  Offices  make  up  the  Sheets  from  this  slowly  gathered 
matter,  print  it  during  two  days,  and,  ln.stead  of  mailing  directly 


\n-: 
m 


TIIK   SVSTKM    KXI'OSKl). 


t.> 


lil'^ 


to  siiliscriln'is,  rctdni  tlie  Slu'ct-^  i-i  iiuck.igi's  to  tlio  IJniiidi  Ollicos 
for  tinal  ili^trilmtion  hy  mail. 

Ill  llii.s  inatiiitT  tlie  weekly  l;:.r,  wlii-ii  rei-eivod,  <;c'iicrally  ckii- 
vcvs  iiii'di'iiiatidii  flin-e  wcoks  «»M. 

N'nw,  it  U  the  (•(iiiiiiudi  (•  jK-ricncc  of  liusliic-s  men  that  tl  o 
pcrio'l  iiio>t,  (laiii^ci'oiis  to  limicst  tradi-is  in  always  the  prriixl  just 
|(rf\i(>iis  to  micN|icct(Ml  cliaiii^i'M,  ov  witliiii  a  short  time  after  they 
Iiavc  ha|>iM'ii''il,  ami  in  advance  of  their  hceoiiiiuL^  notorimis.  If 
tlio  Am-ncii's  meant  to  servi'  their  snl>s('ril)er.s  in  anv  wav.  th(! 
^i'reatest  e.xpeilition  wonhl  he  shown  in  this  critical  time.  If  tliey 
couhl  n<»t  aid  tliem  hy  approximatiii;^  correct  ratini^s,  they  mi^dit, 
j't  hvist,  make  an  elTort  to  i>t'i>iiij>lh/  amioniico  such  njx  n,  .sirn '■•<  as 
I'ailiires,  Sns])eiisions,  Receivi-rships  ;\iid  Fire  .  They  know 
lietter  tlian  to  attemjit  it.  Ilowevei-  the  defects  and  incompli'te- 
ness  of  their  arraniivments  may  lie  to  sidiscrihers,  they  are  fully 
appreciated  l>y  tla^  .\i;'encies.  l').stJnit  If  A  is  a  meaniii,u;fnl 
motto  to  tl:em.  It  is  .-^aferand  hetter  for  thorn  that  th(;  iiuoscribcrs 
shouM  wait  and  sulTer.  in  tlieir  podrels  and  ^oods,  than  tluit  tho 
.\t;cncies  should  he  jiut  to  the  additional  cost  and  resi)onsihi]ity of 
tele;;,raphin^  chanu'es,  etc.,  hy  moans  of  the  Associated  Press,  or 
rejiorl  a  financial  deatli  until  it  had  stunk  heyond  providoi.t'al 
resuscitation.  This  niirj^ardliness  and  sclf-convictin_u^  caution  dis- 
tiniriiish  all  thev  do  and  deti'rminc  all  they  decline!  and  lu'i-'lect  to 
do.  The  use  of  tlu'  telen'rajili  to  and  from  their  Uranch  Offices 
would  cost  from  l?-2o,()(lo  to  $30,00(1  yearly,  perhaps  more;  hut  if 
it  saved  ten  suhscrihers  out  of  .^0,000,  durini,'  the  whole  time, 
from  loss  arisinij  from  want  of  information,  it  would  he  a  partial, 
liowever  inadetpiate,  reijuital  for  the  !5SjO()(),O()0  extractecl  yearly 
from  the  hushiess  capital  of  the  country.  Even  this  slight  chance 
of  recompense  is  disrei^arded.  The  coercive  features  of  the  insti- 
tution are  relied  on  to  make;  uj)  for  every  shorteomiui^  or  omission. 

The  Ai^encies  know  they  may  snore  if  they  choose,  on  the 
principle  that  Apolh)  .se/tijx'r  iwcHhi  fi  nilit,  aiul  a  man  capable  of 
comnnmicatin^  contairions  disease  may  thank  no -one  for  showinn' 
him  a  lIos|)ital.  A  t;mall-[io\  patient  tinds  plenty  of  room  and 
encounters  little  controversy  in  any  community. 

Let  us,  liowever,  suppose  the  OhanjTe  Sheet  received  in  due 
course.  Consignments  have  had  plenty  of  time  to  reach  the 
buyer's  hands,  or  his  lieceivcrs,  or  his  Assignees.    Pro  rata  dlstri- 


lit 

If:' 

m 


i'H 


!Hi 


I ) 


n 


■.   1 


TO 


THE   COMMEIJCIAL   AGKXCIES. 


bntinii,  iiisioad  .if  rccuvepv  of  tlio  goods  (ir  pMyinoiit  in  full,  is  tlic 
iiist  coiistviiti'iici'.  The  second  is:  ciitailcd  ('(ots  fur  Attoi"iio_\>", iiJid, 
in  Ciisu  (»f  collection  bcinj^  juadc  througli  llic  \<x(^\mc>,  j/rojit yrnni 
the  vct'i/ '"■•<-i  ir/t/'c/i  f/tcir  ne(jl!(j(Ui('c  of  <sahiici'lhe)\^''  Intends  Itud 
alreml;/  < udi'iJid  ar iiij^jravatcd. 

If  tlic  Cliango  Sheets  .arrive  |ioiidinij  a  negotiation  instead  of 
after  an  executed  contract,  tin;  absence;  of  a  credit  ai>iilicant's  name 
is  a  (U'ceiving  assurance;  wliile,  on  the  other  Iiaiid,  it'  tin'  name  ap- 
pear in  connection  with  an  honorable  change  or  a  suspension, 
nothing  i-  sal<l  to  show  wlu'thei*  the  change  is  for  the  ]»ettcr  or 
the  suspension  likely  to  be  >hort,  ])rotracted,  or  distinguished  by 
circumstances  justifying  forbearance  rather  than  pressure.  It  is 
of  eomnum  occurrence  to  lind  Firms  that  liad  resumed  within  :i 
Nveek  after  susj)ension  dropped  t)Ut  of  tlie  Change  Sheets  entirely, 
and  thns  excluded  from  the  connnunity  of  active  traders  to  whieii 
many  ^[erchants  and  ^fanufacturers  look  for  desirable  customers. 
])Ut  if  the  resumption  be  announced,  it  comes  nutnths  after  the 
time  of  h;iji[iening  ;  and  the  I'esuscitafed  firm  has  liad  a  cliance  to 
secure  new  a.-sociatioiis  l)eforo  the  old  ones  could  wisely  take  ad- 
vantage (^{  their  longer  acipiaintance  and  formi'r  relations. 

Of  the  Xotification  Sheets  of  McKillop  ^  Spragut;  Co.,  ,].  M. 
I^radstreet  it  Son,  and  Dun,  l»arlow  »t  Co.  the  general  charge 
liolds  good : — tliat  they  are  made  np  from  the  same  sources  as  the 
]{eferencc  IJooks  ;  are  slow  to  come,  and  nseless  or  confusing  wlien 
they  do  come.  Tn  a  country  of  (juick  transportation,  a  device 
Avhicb  gives  contemplated  or  accomplished  fraud  even  a  week's 
start  is  necessarily  valueless  except  as  a  test  of  patience;  and 
after-tlie-fact  knowledge  l)Ccomes  likewise  a  work  of  supereroga- 
tion, in  the  instance  of  honorable  business  mi:-fortime;  for  wdio 
ever  heard  of  an  honest  man  attempting  to  incur  obligations  when 
in  ii  state  of  tlagrant  failure  M'ithout  apprising  the  credit-giver 
of  his  condition  't  They  are,  therefore,  too  tardy  to  prevent  losses  ; 
too  meagre  not  to  deceive  the  trusting  ;  and,  although  the 
most  pretentious  sign  of  activity  and  alertness  of  the  Agencies, 
arc  of  a  piece  with  the  decoy  of  the  Prize  Package  and  the 
trick  of  the  Sawdust  swindle. 

As  the  yearly,  half-yeai-ly,  and  quarterly  Kefercnco  Books 
arc  the  standing  capital  and  menace  of  the  Agencies,  they 
are  made  to   do    double    duty — extort   the    yearly    subscription 


THE   SYSTKM   EXPOSED. 


I  t 


principally,  and  extract  .a  liiciiiiial  liix  uf  SlO  besides  from 
subscribers.  One  woidd  tliink  the  yearly  charifo  ninnsti-oiis 
enough  fnr  the  mass  of  trash  8U])i)lied ;  but  this  suiipleiuen- 
tary  piece  of  hii,diwayism  partakes  iiiore  of  the  ci.ndiuii  lu-i-es- 
sities  of  the  footsore  and  l)arefaced  "Sei-esli"  who  ]ie','h.'d  hi-; 
victim  to  tlie  l)uir  tliau  tlie  <j,cnteel  Tur])ini.--m  v>hirh  shouhl 
characterize  alivaily  Mcll-moimted  and  well-appointt'd  fooi- 
pads, — wliicli  tlie  A<;vncies  are  /taf.  Tis  the  old  slury  over 
again.  The  business  publi<;  did  not  re.-i>t,  begimiings.  They 
might  have  singly  and  cheaply  overcome  the  tirst  assault.  They 
liavo  paid  iifty  or  sixty  millions  tor  their  ri'inissnes-;,  and  must 
now  essay,  with  greater  labor,  to  render  uni)rolitable  the  very 
capital  supjdied  by  themselves,  and  used  to  harass  the  v.-enk  and 
levy  tribute  from  tlie  irresolute. 

The  half-yearly  and  (juarterly  Volumes  are  merely  the  yearly 
matter  Avith  tlie  Ts^otitication  Sheet  alterations.  As  subscribers  riv 
ceive  the  yearly  volume  for  the  subscriplion-})rice,  and  the  little 
Sheets  to  iiK.tdify  a  fe'W  of  its  manv  discovered  inaccuracies,  thev 
have  the  vi-ry  matter  in  their  possession  for  whii-h  thiy  are  re- 
quired to  ]>ay  the  additional  sb*.  Tins  i-  a  wvy  considerable  itnii 
for  Dun,  iJarlow  vfc  Co.,  ami  in  a  lesser,  but  also  ])ro]iortionably 
profitable,  degree  to  ^[(dCillop  iV  S[iragueCo.  ami  .1.  M.  Ib-adstrei-'t 

&  Soil. 

The  cost  of  these  absolutely-iu'eclh'ss  books  is  lucrely  tliepaj>>>r 
and  priuling,  about  S'2.,"iO  or  s:;.():t  per  volume.  The  dilTerence  is 
(;lear  profit.  l>ut  tlie  dodge;  jirodnces  a  further  a<lvanrage.  It 
makes  the  subscribers  pay  for  the  yearly  ]>ooks  :  the  ]irotit  of  sales 
supplies  enough  to  pay  salaries,  rents,  and  contingencies.  Tlu; 
system  of  calling  in  the  ohl  volumes  serves  a  treble  ]>urpose.  It 
contributes  to  prevent  ]\rercliaiits  from  discovering  the  extent  of 
obsolete  or  identical  mattt-r,  by  co!iip,iriM)U  ;  destroys  tlie  primary 
evidence  of  information  whicli  may  ba\i'  indiice(l  los-rs,  or  migli! 
furnish  ground  for  libels,  and  enables  the  .\gencies  to  recover  all 
the  paper  and  binding  material  of  fvery  edition  to  worlc  up  again 
into  a  next  issue  or  sell  to  the  ])ap(r  manufacturer.  A  calciilatiou 
will  indicate  the  exquisite  adaptation  of  means  to  ends  in  all  this 
arrangement.  It  will  show  tin-  ab-iii'dity  of  the  ])i'pii!ar  impres- 
sion that  Jack  cannot  eat  his  ciki;  and  liave  it  too.  The 
Agencies  iirove  tl:e  eontrarv.     Thev  can  e  it  their  cake  a  dozen 


78 


TIIK   COMMERCIAL   AGEN'CIES. 


m 


•J: 


1 1  ■  *         { 

■';:  : 

1    n 

fi  i 


times;  lir  paid  for  the  successive  exertion;  and  only  lose  a  few 
crumbs  in  the  whole  series  of  operations  in  the  interests  of  Trade! 
The  yearly  snhscripfions  are,  therefore,  either  wholly  or  nearlv 
wholly,  clear  ])roiit ;  so  that,  which  ever  way  we  liirn,  we  iind 
every  appliance  disadvantageous  to  the  subscrilier  and  of  prulit 
to  the  ])ul)lishers. 

As  to  the  yearly  volumes  themselves,  tliey  cm  only  contain, 
additional  to  the  lialf-yearly  or  (piarterly  ones,  as  the  case  may 
be,  the  substance  of  the  Chan^'e  Sheets  issued  within  the  time  of 
the  publication  of  the  last  qiiarterly,  and  ])revious  [o  the  ojienini^ 
of  the  yearly,  term.  If  uo  chan^vs  be  I'eported,  none,  of  course, 
arc  entered;  if  they  are  rejtorted,  they  make  a  very  inconsiderable 
addition  to  the  last  volume's;  and,  in  all  events,  a[iart  from  these 
alterations,  the  old  i'atini:'s  of  capital  and  creilit  are  sold  over  a^-ain, 
year  after  year,  with  conmiendalde  luTsi.stence  and  constantly  ac- 
cumulatini;-  prolits.  The  merchant  who  has  not  failed,  and  who 
lias  l)een  ([uadruplimi;  his  nu'ar.s  within  lliive  or  four  years,  sees  his 
old  ratiui;'  occupy  the  same  place  with  the  j)roverbial  persistence 
of  error.  The  merchant  who  has  faileil  will,  in  ninety  cases  out 
of  a  hundred,  either  iind  himself  paradeil  in  all  his  pristine  credit 
or  ovei'looked,  as  is  natural  where  only  about  _///v'  />,  r  c^  nt  of  fh(', 
husines>i  jxi^ndat'nn)  of  the  I  nited  States  and  Canada  is  noticed  in 
any  maimer.  AdministratiU's  and  ICxecntors  who  have  passed 
their  accounts  and  been  dischari;;ed,  iind  their  loni^-buried  testator 
in  active  Ul'e  and  liiujh  credit.  T';o  nuMubers  of  long-since  dissolv- 
ed partnerships  discover  ihemselves  still  allii'd  in  elTort  ami  res[)o!i- 
eibility.  Once  in  I'very  two  ov  three  years  a  crusade  for  new  sub- 
scriliers  is  i  ntered  on,  from  the  district  ot!ic(.'s,  into  the  towns  which 
ajipear  to  justify  the  cifort,  and  these  itinerancies  have  the  eifect 
of  biu'vinu'  some  of  the  notoriously  «.lead,  and  briuii'inii'  into  aiixMicv 
life  and  me.'-hes  some  new,  traders ;  but  as  the  solicited  nu-ivhant 
who  refu-cs  to  sultscribe  is  sure  to  be  remend)ered  as  a  penalty  to 
lumsf'lf,  an  inducement  to  reformation,  oi'  a  terror  to  others,  the 
anioimt  of  conse([uential  misrepresentation  adde«l  i>  generally  in 
startling  e.\ce>s  oi  the  correction  made. 

la'tween  the  necessity  and  iiolicv  of  King  /;/  ffimr  of  .^ub- 
scribers  ami  the  neces.ity  and  jtolicy  of  lying  (i;/in'/i.'<f  non-subscri- 
bers, Truth,  it  might  bo  thought,  is  crucilied  with  all  the  concomi- 


M 


THK   SYSTKN[   KXPOSED. 


79 


taiits  (if  umII  ainl  Wdniiwood,  wliilc  Uar.tlilia.s  is  iL'tluii^c,  wiiii  Imid 
ac'claipi,  to  r.>l»  niul  pluiKlor. 

It"  tlie  ai^eiu'irs  wrre  rvni  coiic'cdcd  to  juvsrrvc,  in  a  ttiiijitiii^' 
oin[tloyiiient,  even  tlio  avi'ra^v  lunmlity  ot"  tlie  dav,  wliv,  it  may 
1)0  stated,  should  wo  (.'Xpcct  them  to  jtropcily  pcrfonii  a  function 
more  delicate  than  leni>latiou  :  more  renmnerativo  l)y  its  al)U>e 
tlian  lutteiT  schemes;  more  involved  and  far-exiendiiiu'  in  purpost> 
than  any  single  entei'[)risi!  of  the  lime,  excepting'  tin,-  I'nitjii  States 
Revenue  Service;  when  we  liave  just  seen  a  national  Le^islatu^o 
ijiven  over  to  thi'  infernal  i^ods  hy  the  i'a[iacity  of  its  nio-t  trusted 
mendicrs,  and  a  carni\al  of  yreed  for  dishonest  ;Lrain  swi'e[>  inti>  its 
vortex  Cabinet  <  )llicers,  Mini>ters  IMenipoteiitiary,  and  thousands 
of  the  nio^t  revered  characters  in  and  out  of  places  of  otlicial 
trust  in  the  counti-y  i  What  rii;ht  have  we  to  ima^'ine  illiterate 
hovs,  working;-  ou  a  salary  of  i^lo  ;i  wi'ck,  more  npriiiht  than 
Colfax,  or  nianaii'crs.  earninn'  one  ihonsand,  and  li\  im;-  at  the  rate 
of  six,  more  si'lf-deiiyiuij;  than  Tweed  t  \\c  do  not.  Ihit  this  is 
merelv  their  apoloi^y  for  heinij  as  they  are.  It  is  no  excuse  or 
justiticatlou  for  their  I'xi.-teuce.  as  such. 

The  ayencies  are  certaiidy  //"/  otlici'red  or  controlled  hy  men 
of  exceptional  mortilication.  Their  stalf  is  a  promiscuous  :;:atlu'r- 
iui;  that  can  have  no  other  purpose  in  such  a  line  of  life  than  to 
make  money  (piickly  and  retire.  .\s  with  all  enterprises  attracting" 
public  odium,  appeals  to  self-interot  nuist  preserve  a  constant 
oxccio  iif  persuadiu^i;  force  over  deterrent  or  disi^ustiui;  features. 
There  nuist  he  compensation  for  shame  sulTered  as  well  as  labor 
done.  The  demeaninu'  perfoi-mance  over,  the  ]H'tty  assistant  may  be 
expected  to  count  his  jietty  knock-downs  in  rear  of  the  esfalilish- 
ment,  while  the  hiji'lier  priced  and  [ilaced  niana^-er  or  confederate 
may  be  pi'e-umed  to  openly  ]ia>>  through  the  front  d(»or,  to  a  luxu- 
rious retirement,  with  jn>t  such  a  portion  of  the  i:oods  lA'  the  com- 
eern  as  a  feelini;  of  ju'rfect  immunity  from  le^;''  rfj.i'i-il  on  \]\c 
part  t>f  associates,  i)r  his  own  op|)oi-tunities.  may  have  delini'i]  t'or 
liim.  The  reason  is  natural.  llaii;::nien  have  alwa\s  hid,  a<  of 
riuht,  something-  for  thi'  executions,  ovi'r  and  aliove  tie'  fee-.  The 
ro|ii'.  or  a  part  vi  it,  is  one.  Other  aiudojries  will  su^u'uv-t  tliem- 
selves. 


M 


ili 


III 

i 


im 


n- 

w 


■\-p.i 


80 


THE   COMMEUCIAL   AGENCIES, 


CIIAPTEU    XI r. 


TAMPEliING  WITIT   THE  I.E(J1SLATU1?KS  OF  CERTAIN  STATES  AND 
THE  1»A1{MAMENT  OF  THE   DO.NHNION  OF  CANADA— MUHE 
SECUET  CIliCULAUS— FACTS  AND  METHODS. 

CoNsrKH's  wrnrig-dooiN  fcur  tlic  l;iw,  Aro  tlie  A^feiicies  an 
oxcq)ti()ii  ?  Kvcr  hIiicu  their  iiitrodiK-tic^ii  llicy  liiivc  been  luninted 
l)v  tlic  fear  of  L('<:;i.'^lativo  intei'fi'reiice.  As  tliey  pr(»^resrte<l  in 
wealth  and  ineroa.sed  in  i\<ri',  fear  L'ave  way  to  iittenipts  at  ])reeau- 
tion  against  it;  and  a  hirg'e  part  of  their  eneriry  and  no  insignilieant 
proportion  of  tlieir  profits  are  now  devoted  yearly  to  antieipat- 
iiiij  lioslile  movements  s(.r  afoot  hy  their  victims,  or  snpjiressinj^ 
the  lioiiest  ellorts  of  enliiijlitened  and  thonirhtfid  law-makers  to 
al)olish  or  restrain  tlieir  abuses.  Dim,  J>arlow  ifc  Co.  make  no 
mention  in  their  Secret  Oirenlar,  which  follows,  of  the  first  iiite- 
restiniij  episode  had  Avith  the  Canadian  Parliament.  They  w  holly 
overlook  their  e.\i)erience  at  the  Dominion  Capital  in  JSTJJ.  A 
merchant  of  St.  John,  N'ew-nrnnswick,  conceived  liimself  grossly 
airgrioved,  and  induced  the  local  member  to  pro])ose  a  CJeneral  Act 
of  ]^;irliameiit.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  take  testimony. 
]\[iddlemiss,  of  Mcdvillop  ct  Spragne  Co.  (and  then  representing 
that  firm  in  ^Montreal),  was  snmnioned  before  it  and  examined.  An 
agent  went  in  hot  haste  from  Xew-York  to  ai)pear  for  Dun,  Ear- 
low  iSc  (\k  and  give  his  notions.  Feeling  ran  high — high  enough 
to  induce  the  rival  Agencies  to  confer  together  against  the  common 
enemv.  Tliev  conferred  to  advantage.  Tlie  AmMicies  were 
something  jioorer  for  a  ])eriod;  the  Act  was  not  urged;  several 
ambitions  members  were  flush  for  a  month  or  two;  and  the  jieople 
of  the  Dominion  found  themselves  temporarily  turned  over  to  the 
Agencies  for  further  phlebotomy.  The  connection  of  ^McKilloj) 
i^-  S[)raguc  Co.'s  representative  with  tlie  Canadian  Civilit  >robilier 
business,  known  as  the  ''  Canadian  Land  Swap,"  and  the  siibseij^uent 


-ill  I 


TlIK   SVriTE.M    EXrOriKl). 


81 


jiulicious  iiivc'stiuLMits  (»f  Dun,  I'.arluw  iV  ('".  ut  II;in'isl)iii-L;-.  ri  iiilcr 
it  iiiiiii-'cesjiiry  to  assiirt;  the  iv;iilcr  lli.it  linth  iustitutioiis  iisrddnly 
JidiKH'iihli'  !iri,aiiiu'iitri.  and  i»i'rsiia<lril  one  oi-  hkhv  Caiiailiaii  l.c^is- 
lativc  ( "oimiiittc'cs  Sdlcly  I>y  the  Innate  foi-cc;  of  truth  ami  the  cx- 

iUn])l(!  (»!"    llIUM/^lltlK-'S-i. 

Till!  second  instance!  ol"  Lciri-^lntivc  iiitcri'crcncc  with  tlic  iicfi- 
rions  l)uslnc-.s  was  that  orii^inatod  l)_v  soniu  cxci'lli'nt  ijciitlciiicn  In 
the  Lower  llonsi!  of  the  Pennsvh  aula  Leirislatni'c.  'I'Ik;  statesmen 
of  that  CoinnioiiwealtU,  ljron;^ht  n[)  at  the  feet  of  (Janiall(,],  in  all 
that  |)er)ains  to  jiopiilar  ri.Lch':^,  iind  i'liHy  !lp[»l•eciatin^•  the  sacred 
rights  of  persons  and  character,  early  noticed  tlie  inroads  of  the 
new  elainiri  on  the  old-time  reserve- of  husiness  and  society.  They 
felt,  too,  that  if  privileges  so  ^■enei'al  v.'e re  asserted  in  the  name  of 
Itight,  they  should  ho  met  at  the  threshohl,  aiwl  denied  admittance 
in  the  name  (»f  the  (\jmmonwealtli,  without  conditions  calculated 
to  insure  safety  to  Alerchants  and  traders  in  purse  and  character. 
This  cour.-i!  was  Avorthy  of  the  Key.-tone  State,  and  espociallv 
lioiiorable  to  the  le_i;'al  profession,  which  has  so  loni^  madt;  its 
Councils  a  bulwark  against  individual  wrongs  and  lax  constitution- 
al inter])retali(»n.  The  home  of  a  Sharswood,  a  Black,  or  a  (lur- 
ney  was  naturally  the  lirst  in  the  rniou  to  challenge  the  hold  pi-e- 
tcnsions  of  the  Agencies;  and  the  ease  with  whi(.'h  the  followine- 
Act  j)assed  an  Asseudjly,  largely  composed  of  lawyiM's  r.'ared  in 
the  sanio  school  of  jurisprudeiiee,  sliowed  that  there  weri;  not 
wanting  many  men  who  appreciated  tin;  danger  and  sought  to 
avert  it. 


AN'   ACT 


"To  piinisl)  ooniiTiPrcIal  npfoiifs  for    f;\lsc  ivprc-icntntions  nf  tlio  Ihik'hicss  cundition 
"of  fcrlain  pci'KoiiH 

''  WlIEKKAS'l'lirrc  arcjicrxiiis  li'iivilliii'^froiii  tiiin:  ta  lime  in  diirtM-i'iit,  purt.-i  of  tlu 
"  Coiiiinoiuvi'iillli  (.■liiiiiiiiij;  Id  \n'  cninlui-tiiiLC  or  iT|ii'i'.si'iit!nL;  coiiMiiiTri;!]  aiji'iH.i'.s  lo 
"  !i~i'i'i-tuia  Ict'cp  u  n'l'onl  iiiul  piitjlisli  llu'  liiuuicinl  rcspoii-^iljility  of  l)usiiie:;s  iiicii  in 
"diirL'reiitpiirlH  of  tlic  country 

"  Am)  Wiiiatr.AS  fSuiti  ihtsohs  froni  malicious  or  corrupt  motives  of  ti;n  wil  fully  :iii<l 
"  A')/(wi(i.'/ fXiiiru'crati;  and  nii>rcprc^cnl  tiic  liuaucial  coudition  of  piT-ons  cuLra'^rd  in 
"dill'i'rcnl  kinds  <if  business  to  tin.'  urr;il  injury  of  sucli  i)iT--ons  and  tljc  u-rni'ral  public 

"  Therefore 

"SnCTION  I  /v-  i7  (l/arlril  hi/  l/ir  St mili'  <liiil  Jfuusr  (,t'  h'flircxfiiliitin^  i,f  t!,,  (\,„niir>/i- 
"  nynllli  of  I\  iinsijlraiiiu  in  Hciiirul  Af^xniilil^  hut  (iml  it  i.s  It'irltij  itiiuirl  lnj  the  milhtirilr 
"of  the  name 

"  That  any  person  conduetini;  the  ))usines*of  what  isknown  asa  eouimercial  ai^'cncy 
"established  in  this  euiinaonwealth  or  elsewhere  for  the  purjjose  of  ascertain  in  l,'  imt)- 


TTT 


'i 


I  I 


]il 


r 


82 


TIIK   COMMKIiCIAL   AGEXCIES. 


"lirliin^j  niid  koopiiiLr  fur  putili(!  or  private  infonniitiou  a  n  cdid  iif  tin'  liiiancial  rc- 
"spoii.-iliilily  1111(1  liiisiii(\-.s  condition  of  l)anlviT.s  niL'tviuiiits  tnulrrs  builders  nianu- 
"facliinrs  or  other  jicrsoiis  tiii;aj;i'd  in  any  comim  reial  businc-s  and  any  person 
''elainiin;^  to  be.  the  reiiresentative  of  hueli  coniniereial  ayeney  who  j^liall  kno\vin;;ly 
"  heeiUessly  or  wilfully  exafi^^eralu  or  inlBrupresent  by  writinj;  jirintinf;  or  otliirwlse  in 
"book  form  or  otherwise  the  credit  linancial  resjionsibility  or  business  condition  of 
■'any  bunker  inerchant  manufacturer  tradesman  builder  or  otiier  person  or  persons  en- 
"pii^'''  '"  any  coniniereial  business  shall  be  LTUilly  of  a  misdemeanor  imd  upon  con- 
"  viction  thereof  shall  he  senteiH'ed  to  ]iay  a  line  of  not  less  than  two  hundred  and  lifty 
"  dollars  nor  more  thuu  one  thousand  dollars  one  half  of  the  lino  im|)oso(l  to  be  for.tho 
"use  of  the  Informer  A  conviction  for  the  f(M'e<;oinj;  odenee  shall  not  bar  un  action 
"  for  daniai,'es  by  the  person  or  persons  injured." 

Xo  i-ooiier  Iiiul  tliis  l»ill  passed  the  Lower  House  than  llie 
Agencies  discovero(l  it.  aiitl  took  alarm.  They  counselled  tt»gether 
how  to  avoid  llic!  threatened  restraints  on  uidicensed  libel  and  irre- 
sponsible slander.  One  of  their  modes  was  ;ho  writing  and  pri- 
vate circulation,  throughout  the  State,  of  the  following  confiden- 
tial letter,  co])ied  from  the  original  in  the  writer's  possession,  re- 
ceived from  n  inerchant  too  honorable  to  act  on  it : 


Till;  Mi:i!(  ANTii,;:  Aokncy. 


.,  1871. 


"Dear  Sir: 

"  On  the  next  pafTC  you  will  please  find  an  Act  that  has  been  introduced  into  the  Le- 
"^'isla  uiv,  of  IVnnsylvaiiia,  antl  which,  «'i^/t  the  icnj  slii/htr.it  rdiisiilrraiiim,  has  actually 
"  passed  the  House  of  Uepresentatives.  There  is  a  good  prosi)ect,  however,  of  sloppin;; 
"  its  passat;(;  in  the  Senate,  and  we  beg,  therefore,  to  tisk  your  good  services  to  that  cud. 
"If  you  can  assist  its  opposition  by  letter,  or  otherwise,  to  the  Representative  of  your 
"  District  in  the  Senate,  we  beg  that  you  will  do  so  at  once.  As  you  w  ill  see,  the  Act  is 
"  very  loosely  drawn,  and  contains  a  false  declaration  at  the  rlart,  that  information  is 
"  '  often  '  wilfully  erroneous,  and  moreover  oflers  a  Viribe  to  unprincij)lcd  informers  to 
•'  annoy  respectable  persons  for  the  hope  of  reward.  The  laws  of  the  land  are  already 
"ade(iuate  to  protect  the  public,  and  the  penaUicn  now  in  cristencc  for  dander  uiiil  liM 
'■arc  lunch r  than  even  thk  DUl  j)ro/x>!<c.f.  It  is  therefore  uncalled  for.  The  merchants  in 
"  the  various  cities  are  iietitioningagain.sl  the  measure,  nnd  you  will  not  be  singular  in 
"your  opposition  to  it  if  yon  will  do  us  the  favor  to  bring  what  intluence  you  can  to 
"  hear  in  the  Senate.  Inasmuch  as  action  is  likely  to  be  taken  very  shortly  after  the  7Ui 
"April,  prompt  measures  are  necessary.  We  should  like  to  have  a  line  from  you 
"  whether  jou  can  help  us  in  the  matter  or  not. 

"  Respectfully  yours, 


The  Fiu.ST  falsehood  in  this  shameful  document  is  self-evident. 
No  bill  covld  pass  the  House  '-with  the  very  slightest  considera- 
tion."     It  was   referred  to  the  Judiciary  Cuinniittco.      It  Lad 


I  n 


THE   SYSTEM    EXPOSED. 


83 


receivoil  thii'ir full  ron^i(I('i'ation,n\\i\  we  know  that  no  law  of  tlii.s 
import  I'oiilJ  p.'is-^  from  that  committee  back  to  tlie  House  without, 
iiavin^'  /'K'tii'd/  tlio  njiprova!  of  the  /n-sf  l<(/al  //u'/u/fi  in  (/tr  *.SV«/<'. 
The  SKI  DM)  falsehood  is  meanly  malignant.  The  wiseacres  of  th',) 
Aireiiev  affect  to  think  the  act  "  loosely  drawn."'  To  further  this 
imi)re.ssiou  f/n ;/  ]mn[  it  iritlunit  punctuation  ami  n'il/i  \  ci'hal  in- 
accuracies, just  as  we  have  jiroduced  it.  Everyone  knows,  who  can 
read  it,  that,  even  wilh  these  disadvantaf,'es,  it  is  an  (>xceedin<^ly 
clear  and  well-expressed  statute.  The  tuiui)  falsehooil  is  worse 
than  the  other  two  in  elTrontery.  The  public;  are  already  better 
])i'otected  by  the  laws  of  slander  and  libel  than  the  bill  j)roposes  ! 
Why,  as  we  have;  .-^liown  elsewhere  in  this  work,  the  Ai;encies  have 
always  chdiit'd  immunity  from  the  operation  of  these  laws  on  the 
double  tjronnd  that  their  conunuiucations  were  priviletftHl  between 
master  and  em[)loyee — princii)al  (merchant)  and  agent  (themselves) 
— and  further,  that  their  altered  in  the  character  of  merchants  and 
traders  was  a  legal  protection  against  either  the  claim  for  private 
damage  or  public  prosecution!  The  fol'utu  falselu)od  is  "  that 
merchants  were  petitioidng  against "'  the  passage  of  the  bill.  Tiiere 
was  not  a  word  of  truth  in  this  statement.  The  circular  was  in- 
tended to  induce  them  to  do  so,  and  in  the  hope  that  some  might 
be  got  to  sign  against  tho  bill,  ou  the  promises  of  special  rccogru- 
tiuu  from  the  Agency.  A  few  were  caught  by  this  bait,  after  a 
time;  l)ut  their  numlier  and  character  were  so  insignificant  that 
the  names  were  never  pre.sented  in  the  Senate,  and  the  bill  was  de- 
feated by  very  dill'ereut  methods  and  ones  more  distinctly  witiiin 
tlie  Agencies'  immediate  control.  A  member  of  one  of  the 
Agencies  went  on  from  Xew-York  to  llarrisburg,  with  means  fur- 
nished by  the  Agencies,  to  j)Cf\9ua(l'  certain  majorities  of  certain 
committees  of  the  Pennsylvania  Senate  that  the  bill  ought  not  to 
])ass.  It  cost  money  to  travel.  It  cost  money  to  live  in  hotels. 
It  was  not  without  large  additional  expenditure,  ami  much  intrigue, 
that  this  agent  was  enablcil  to  telegraph  that  all  was  right  at  last ! 
The  exact  outlav  will  onlv  be  known  in  a  court -of  iu.stice:  but  it 
is  safe  to  say  the  contin<;ent  or  expense  accounts  of  the  Aircncies 
show  a  marked  rise  in  these  spring  months  of  IST-I  to  whoever 
may  secure  access  to  them. 

The  third  interference  with  the  Agencies  occurred  on  tho 


f 


,    M' 


84 


TllK   COMMEUCIAI,   AGENCIES. 


;:ii 


«  I 


■'  '■', 


l\ 


iiiii 


liiinks  of  tlic  ^^i.-^issip^n  ami  Alissoiiri.  Tii  December,  1^74, 
Kiii^,  th(;  St.  Louis  (dlicc  iiiiiiiajftT,  leanicd  tliat  a  l»il!  was  ahout  to 
l»c  iiitrudiiced  at  .leircrscjii  City  eiratiiii;  /^roati-r  rospoiisiliility,  for 
false  ivports  hy  Agoncios,  to  tlio  slaiKk-rcil  and  di-ccivcd,  and  de- 
fiiiinn'  tlii'ir  liability  to  i)artli's  iiijiirod  liy  \\\e\\'  > .ytt'omi'/' .  Tlioso 
rostricl ions  wero  barely  JM.->t;  but  they  would  have  <lfslriiycd  the 
institution  in  llio  State  within  an  hour  after  their  |>a--sa^-e.  Tho 
fact  was  coinnuinieated  to  lK'ad-i[uarters  in  Xew-Vork,  and  tho 
Ai^encies  took  alarm  a_i;ain.  If  this  cxanijih!  v.'ere  to  s]iread, 
their  career  wouhl  be  lirou^'ht  to  a  close.  li'  it  were  generally 
known  and  canvassed  even,  there  was  dani^er  that,  altliou:L;h  legis- 
lation might  b(!  prevented  in  Canada,  IVnnsylvania,  and  Missouri, 
HOUR!  of  the  other  States  would  legi.-1at((  in  the  like  wi>e  s]>irit,  and, 
by  making  the  Agencies  responsible  b)r  their  malice  and  nnstakes, 
practically  pr(»hibit  them.  In  this  emergency  a  coii.sultatiou  wa.s 
liad  in  New-Vork.  As  the  result  of  the  conference  a  telegram 
was  agreed  ou  and  sent  through  the  Western  riiion  Telegraph  Co, 
to  King,  instructing  him  to  "spare  ueither  moiu-y  nor  labor  to  kill 
tho  bill."  King  spared  neither.  The  sum  of  ilthiij  flinnsntid  dol- 
/((/>;  at  least,  was  cx])eiuh'd  among  tho  J'lack  llorso  Cavalry  of  tho 
St.  Louirt  Delegation,  and  a  few  eU'ectivo  society  men  in  the  coun- 
try districts;  but  Ave  arc  bound  to  ^A/A',  expended  in  a  legal  way: 
what  wo  hdicvo  is  aiu)ther  matter;  and  the  proposed  bill  dropped 
out  of  sight  after  serving  a  few  eveniligs  sts  a  scarecrow  at  tho 
Cai)itol. 

There  is  still,  liowevcv,  in  th:it  and  other  States,  the  germ  of  an 
active  opposition  which  may  lead  to  ellicient  legislation.  Several 
energetic  attorneys  arc  badgering  the  Agencies  in  the  courts;  and 
wo  should  not  bo  siwi)rised  if  the  spring  and  winter  of  1S7<!  wit- 
nessed a  new  campaign  led  by  honest  men  and  supported  by  tho 
leading  presses  of  that  and  other  high-spirited  commonwealths. 

A\"arnod  by  this  troublesome  business  in  Canada,  Pennsylvania, 
and  Missouri,  tho  Agencies  conceived  the  idea  of  guarding  against 
future  sur[)riso  and,  if  possible,  cheapening  their  legislative  pro- 
cesses, both.  In  execution  of  this  purpose  the  following  circular, 
dated  January  10th,  1875,  Avas  printed  and  sent  to  all  branch- 
ofiices  l)y  tho  Mercantile  Agency.  It  indic.ites  the  anxiety  of  tho 
Agencies  on  this  head : 


TiiH  svsti:m   KXPOSKI). 


80 


••  I.r.lilSI.ATloN. 

•'To  Mavaoeus  : 

"  \Vi!  iiiirlii'uhiiiy  wisli  to  imi>n's-*  upon  voti  Iho  niTOSfslty  of  poiistiinlly  i»'iu«iii:; 
"Uiu  olllciiil  iviMirts  of  voiir  StaU'  Liu'i^li'l'ii'i',  in  nrdcr  to  tliscovir  if  uiiy  I'ill-*  or  iv- 
••  Mjliiliou-'  uiv  iulni.liUHa  allrctiii;;  tin'  Agency  busiiu'^s.  \V.'  luul  ii  <i''"''  •''"'  '/''■""'''-• 
'■  lii^l  winlii-  from  I,i;;;i.-,lation.  Mpi'.ciiilly  in  oiiu  or  two  fUtics,  not  li:i\in,'  Ixvii  iidviscd 
"  HtitUcii'ntly  I'iirly  to  combat  it  ii.s  Hucecssfully  as  wu  could  ollicrwlsc  liavc  done.  Tli<' 
'•  iiioincnt  you  discover  anylliini;  allcptiu:,'  our  Imsiucss  do  tiol  fail  to  notify  ns  at  once, 
"and  to  send  us  c>i\iU:>  nf  tlio  doeuiuents.  \Vc  |ircsutni'  tlie  daily  paper  |>u  li-li  d  at 
"  tli(^  Stale  caiiltal  will  contain  all  that  is  ueees-ary,  aiul  a  hasty  i,'laiice  at  eacli  day's 
"  procccdlu'^  will  ciiublc  you  to  keep  track  of  what  wu  no  much  tlc^irc  to  know. 

"  Yours  truly, 

(sigucd;    "  1)1  N,  Hvui.iiw  iV  t'o. 

'•  NiiwYiiiiK,  .lanuarv  1'.',  HI.")." 


The  in<l<<r.>ciiu'nt  \>y  tlio  '^[;^llair(M•  of  n  SoiitluM-n  I'raiii-li  on 
one  of  tliL'.-o  cifctilai-s  is  ciirt  ami  tn  llie  pniiit.  '•  Don't  think  t!i(! 
"  JiCnislatiiro,  ft»iii|>(jSL'(l  as  it  is  of  two  thifils  iu'i,'i-uL'S,  will  ever 
'•tliink  i>{  a  '. Mercantile  Ao'encv.'  iniicli  less  pass  laws  aflectinuf  it. 
'•  A//  f/i<  1/  iiir,  j\ii'  /.v  iji,  iiKiiii  1/  /" 

Tiie  truiiltle  which  Dun,  I'arlow  t.^-  Co.  had  in  "two  cases," 
thiriiio-  the  winter  of  ls74,  '-to  combat  Legislation"  nitist  ivfer  to 
tlieif  intei'feivncc  with  the  tnenihers  of  the  ^lissoufi  Legislature 
thfongh  the  exertions  of  their  St.  Loiiis  manager,  Iviiig,  and  the 
eijiially  inii»ortaiit  mani[»iilations  of  the  Pennsylvania  Legislature 
hy  their  Secret  Agents  at  Ilarrishtirg  ami  the  various  Si'iiatoriul 
Districts  of  that  State.  Wc  must  su])pose  all  done  within  tin;  Law. 
Tiie  confession  of  ihise  two  crimes  against  the  public  leaves  many 
others  of  the  Kinie  nature  in  the  background,  but  avo  have  pre- 
ferred to  tise  their  own  proofs  and  limit  ourselves,  for  the  time 
being,  to  the  ollences  which  they  have  admitted. 

Can  that  be  treated  as  a  safe  anil  legitimate  business  which 
adopts  the  methods  iiulicati'd  in  the  }ireceding  circulars  to  elude 
leijislative  I'estraints  ^  Ouoht  the  public  countenance  or  sustain 
men  who,  by  their  own  confession  and  these  ])roofs,  might  be 
charged  with  following  tlie  [iractice  of  corrupting  the  fountains  of 
jA'gislatiou  i 

Is  there  iiol  a  pul>lic  danger,  apart  altogether  from  the  tpies- 
tiou  of  })rivate  Avrotigs,  in  the  growtli  of  institutions  which  make 
a  boast  of  anticipating  reformatory  measures  by  capturing  tlic  re- 
presentative bodies,  or  enough  of  them  to  make  the  rest  inefficient 
to  carry  out  the  po})ular  will  I 


If    ' 


jtl"'" 


80 


TIIK  COMMLUCIAL   ACJEXCIlid. 


Itii 


!|ii 


1    , 

it ;! 
,4: 


Our  llcprcscntative  Asscnihlii'S  arc  l)ad  c>noij<,'li  already  ;  but  it 
is  full  timo  to  buconie  alarmed  for  them  wliou  tho.-c  Ai,'t'ncj  eii- 
toqirises,  "  concoivcd  in  sin  aud  l)rou;j;lit  f(»rtli  in  iuii|uity,"  arc 
etnboldciu'd,  by  public  npatliy,  to  approach  the  very  s-anetuary  of 
the  law-uiaUini!:  power,  aud  lay  their  unclean  handrf  on  the  minis- 
trants  at  the  Altar  ! 


'l;t 


'f;B,n 


llvu. 


TUE   SV.'iTK.M   EXrOiKD. 


87 


CIIAPTKK    XIH. 


Sl'READINO     Tin:     I'LAOUK-TIIH     Iv  KEKJX    (>FFI(M:S    AND    THF.IU 
USES— JONATHAN    Till:    oNI.V     SISIMICI'. 

rrisonoof  tlu?  wonder.-!  of  tlio  time  how  .^[l!l•('a^tilool•  ( 'i>iiiiiut- 
c'ial  Aijencios  couM  o^itablisli  tlu'iiisdvos  and  pro.>![)CM'  on  this  sidr 
(tf  tlio  Atlantic,  M'lien  public  opinion  would  not  kuITim"  tlu  lu  to  be 
'■j)lantod  in  many  countries,  or  attain  separate  vitality  in  !iny,  on  the 
other  side  of  the  Ocean. 

In  the  I'ritish  Islands  they  were;  not  permitted  to  ori!,'anizc  a 
List  or  report  Credits  or  Standini^s ;  and  when,  in  IS7-,  they  at- 
tempted, in  view  of  the  larije  California  trade  with  Australia,  to 
plant  themselves  in  Melbourne,  tin;  ])eople  of  that  (>olony  drove 
tluan  out  iii;nf>miniously.  "Xotwithstandinii;  these  eil'eetive  exhi- 
bitions of  feelinir,  a  weak  system  of  correspondence  was  inanijjii- 
ratod  by  ^Iclvillop  S:  Spraijiie  Co.,  .1.  ^I.  I^radstreet  it  Son,  arid 
Dun,  IJarlow  it  ('o.  in  two  or  three  European  Cities;  and  thoao 
iirms  were  put  on  their  "irood  behavior'' to  let  all  Dritish  and 
European  Citizens  severt'ly  alone,  and  confine  their  attention  to 
Ainjricans. 

The  Eoreign  Offices  of  the  American  Agencies  nre,  therefore, 
used,  like  the  Home  ones,  to  operate  on  American  traders  only. 
They  are  not  suffered  to  speak — woidd  not  be  ])ormifcted  to  speak 
— of  the  sul)jects  and  peo[»le  in  slight  of  their  wimlows,  in  either 
France,  (rermany,  or  the  IJritish  Islaiuls.  Hrother  Jonath:ui  i.s 
their  exclusive  resource  at  home  and  abroad. 

The  fact  is  not  flatterini,^  to  national  pride.  Is  the  American 
Citizen  the  sole  Trader  or  Merchant  who  will  permit  himself  to 
be  tried  at  home  by  these  self-constituted  tril)unals  of  character  ; 
followed  beyond  sea  by  their  underlings;  and  harassed  by  their 
impertinences  and  exactions,  everywhere  t  Either  the  human  i-ace 
recpiiros  this  protection  from  his  dishonesty,  and  ho  concedes  the 


nr 


ni" 


8s 


THK   C'OMMEKCIAIi    ACIE.NCIKS. 


!li! 


-1     . 
>l     I 


% 


lifcc.-sity,  <»r  lif  i-;  cimIiiwciI  witli  less  scir-a'scrtioii  and  iiidcpi'ii- 
(Ifiicc,  ill  iilTaii's  (pf  ( 'uimiR'fi'i',  tliaii  .lulm,  I'af,  Sawiu'V  «»i'  I'u'rri!, 
and  U  cnjitciil  III  liavu  uvury  «iiii'  intcwmiMMIc  with  his  alVair.s  who 
mav  dr.-in^  In  niaku  a  trachi  cf  doin'^  .so.  Iluwcvcr  wi;  essay  to 
e.\|»laiii  lii^  riirlKjaraiicc,  rorcii^iu-rs  will  fall  Imck,  at  last,  oii  his  con- 
Hi'ioiisiu'ss  <if  .special  depr.ivily,  or  his  national  Itluiitness  of  feelinj^. 

<)iir  Xatjoiial,  Stati',  llailroad,  and  Miiiiii'i|ial  loans  aro 
nt  Ncr  i'irei't(;d  thi'oiii^h  infoniiatioii  (»f  tliv  A;4'en('_v  .sort.  SpcM-ial 
Agents  >fo  out;  other  Aifi'iits  oi-  Attorneys  aro  sent  here  to  iiKpiiru 
on  the  ground  Into  the  security  of  proposed  investments;  and  tlio 
otliee  of  the  Agencies  is  thereforo  reduced  to  that  of  prepared 
detectives  in  the  lighter  trans.'ictiitiis  l»i'tw(!en  linns  and  individuals 
f.'/v  and  /fiiii'<  iVtlantic.  In  these  dealings,  which  ought  to  he  oil 
ii  pliUU!  of  eipiality  hetwecii  the  rospoetivu  iiatituialities,  the  homo 
Anu-rican  is  always  the  iiwpiired  aliout,  never  the  iiKpiirer";  and 
the  purpose  ((f  tin;  foreign  ollices  can,  theruf<jre,  only  he  to  oxer- 
(iise  in  London  or  I'aris  the  same  prolltahlo  mirri  iHdiici'  over  our 
eili/.eiis  which  the  I'ariMit  Ageiieics  render  si>  renunierative  in  this 
country.  As  the  American  is  the  only  man  who  submits  to  it  in 
his  native  l:ind,  it  is  fitting,  ])erha[)s,  when  hi.s  business  lies  abroad, 
lie  should  ht!  made  to  jiay  toll  again,  or  take  the  (!onseijnonees. 

IJightly  or  wrongly,  no  business  man  or  llrm  having  foreign 
relations  can  •wholly  alford  to  disregard  the  signilicimce  of  tin; 
geographical  positi(jn  of  these  for<,'ign  branches.  An  unfavorable 
nmior,  however  started — even  if  started  to  be  silenced  on  j)roper 
inducement — obliges  the  iudiu'omont  to  bo  forthcoming:.  Amoni>: 
Ills  acquaintances,  a  man  with  average  grit  and  sutHcient  capital  may 
do  busitiess  in  a  storm  of  detraction.  Abroad,  a  whisper  isrm'nous; 
and  he  is  inconsiderate  of  liis  interests  who  does  not  jinrelia.so 
silence  or  buy  encomiums. 

Our  own  impression  is  that  those  foreign  brandies  are  not 
growing  in  favor,  and  cannot  beconu!  permanent,  self-sustaining 
establishments.  Thrir  'timbi  rccoiue  hnx  alwaijft  Ixen  coUectid  on 
th'i>^  x'ldii  of  th''  iratci'froiii  the  chdH  of  jh'rxonx  vlto  dcs'Jre  t/trot/.s' 
to  crrdit  on  the  oi/i<  r  ,svVA';  and  they  are  so  generally  suspected  iu)w 
by  JJriti.sh,  French,  and  Crerman  ]\[erchants,  on  account  of  recent 
occurrences,  that  their  usefulness,  even  to  the  fraudulently  disposed, 
must,  before  long,  come  to  an  end.  Their  oidy  duty  will  bi; 
purely  scenic  and  spectacular.     In  the  show  business  every  wagon 


Tin:   KVSTKM    KXI'O.SKl). 


80 


and  l)(iX  iiilds  to  tli.:  clu'ct  of  I  hi'  (Mxalcmlt'.  In  tins  A^tMlcy 
I)U.-«iiie?H  ovt'Pv  otlici!  is  mi  julvcrti^iiiii'iit.  WIicii,  Imwivcr,  in  the 
I'oi'iiu'i'  calliii^r,  tliii  lUidifiitM!  discover  tli;il  llif  htMst.s  and  jkt- 
furiiiin;;'  aniiiiaU  hear  an  alisiinl  i>rii[ii)rtinn  l^i  tin-  ca^'cs  and 
(•((iivivanccs,  tlu'V  invest  in  no  inc^ris  ti(;ki'ts  fm-  tlmf  ciniis. 
15v  itai'Ilv.  when  liie  1'i)n'i''n  man  of  li-adu  will  ii<>  li)iin;i.|-  1)(. 
dcc'i'Lvc'd,  and  tlu)  fraiidnlcnt  trader  liero  can  imieure  ni>  Iteiielit, 
tlu!  forei{j;n  ntHcis  will  he  dispensed  with  a.-i  iniTe  advertisinij 
luxuries,  chcai)  indeed,  Imt  valneless  Un-  revenno  in  tho  New 
Worhl  or  tlie.  Old.  Jonathan  will  thi'n  eeaso  to  snpidy  Kiiropo 
with  a  htandini,' i)ruof  of  Ids  want  of  contideneo  in  hinisi'lf.  Ile- 
tildfs,  Lirjkct-ijhop.s  are  prulitle>rf  when  exposed  to  the  anthorifie.-*. 


'  f' 

■ 

'JO 


THE   COMMEHCIAL   AGKXCIKS. 


m 


I 

V4 


■  1 ' 
■)'■ 


CIIArTER    XIV. 

DO    THE    AGENCIES    COXTRHJUTE    TO,    OR    LESSEN',    PANICS    IN 

TRADE  •>. 

The  jiaiiir  (if  1S3T  is  cxpLiined  in  A-arious  ways.  Some  pay 
the  Stuck  spoculations  of  iiicn  like  Nicholas  Jjiddlo,  Jacob  Bitrkci, 
J.  W.  Blcockor,  and  Saiimol  J.  15eebc — the  kin;"^  operators  of  ten 
years  preceding  the  catastrophe — were  the  efficient  cause.  In 
su]iport()f  this  theory  they  contrast  the  great  fluctuations  in  the 
favorite  Stocks  of  the  day,  and  give  the  following  examples  : 

Nov.  2,-),  1S3I.  Aug.  2.-5,  1835. 

Morris  Eailroad TO  200 

Harleiu  Ilailroad O-t  105 

Dry- Dock  TJank 118  145 

Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal T2  113 

An  advance  so  purely  speculative  indicated  "corners''  worthy 
of  conipari.-^on  with  the  Avorst  of  our  time;  but  mere  Stock  specu- 
lation could  not  have  produced  the  wide-spread   destruction  of 

OO  (  . 

( )ur  own  explanation  takes  a  more  commercial  turn.  Forty  mil- 
lictns  had  been  invested  in  the  purchase  of  wild  land  in  the  fiscal 
year  'o5-0 !  The  process  of  locking  up  private  capital  in  unpro- 
ductive laud  had  been  going  on  for  years.  The  I'ailroad  system, 
then  just  beginning  to  draw  to  itself,  in  the  hope  of  future  profit, 
private  means  and  public  credit  both,  had  succeeded  in  absorbing 
forty  millions  more.  Other  scliemcs  of  internah  improvement, 
Canals,  Turnpikes,  etc.,  had,  to  the  extent  of  iifty  millions  for 
the  former,  and  twenty-tive  millions  for  the  latter,  absorbed  labor 
and  resources  "in  drafts  upon  ])osterity,"  leuving  Bonds  and 
Scrips  in  the  place  of  the  (for  all  immediate  purposes)  destroyed 
values.  Counting  the  liaidc  Pxmds,  there  were  at  least  ^185,000,- 
000  of  artiticial  representatives  of  removed  or  unproductive  values 


'iUL^ 


THE   SYSTEM    EXl'OSED, 


91 


ill  tlic  country,  and,  coincitlently,  a  grcal.  slirink!i:j;e  in  proportion  to 
population  of  i^roductive  agricultn-al  labor.  A  lax  credit  sy.steni 
extended  from  Europe  to  America  and  permeated  every  condition 
of  life  to  an  cnonnous  extent.  Men  worked  le^s  and  "  indidi^ed "' 
mort!  than  ever  before.  The  crisis  came  with  tlio  defective 
harvests  of  '3»3.  AVhen  Flour  was  worth  822  per  barrel  in  Chi- 
cao'O,  twenty  days  of  excessive  rain  destroyed  the  crops;  and  the 
"West — so  called — which,  it,  was  hoped,  wouM  come  to  the  rescue, 
failed  for  a  hundred  millions,  and  brought  the  rest  (»f  tht;  country 
tumbUng  down  with  her.  In  three  years,  according  to  Medl)ury, 
sixty  Banks  saidc  out  of  >'^ight,  dragging  $iy2,<>i»(»,(i()0  into  the 
vortex,  and  out  of  an  aggregate  indebtedness  of  s4-|o,(>()(),(i(i0  the 
Creditor  Class  could  not  realize  over  one  cent  o\\  the  dollar,  the 
rest  disappearing  in  collectors'  fees,  brokers'  conimissions,  and  the 
costs  of  Courts,  Lawyers,  and  Juries.  The  sinking  of  active  capi- 
tal in  wild  lands  ;  the  neglect  to  cultivate  arable  lauds  in  propor- 
tion to  growth  of  population  and  trading  needs  ;  the  withdrawal 
of  the  labor  which  should  have  gone  to  productive  uses  from 
them,  and  its  diversion  to  heaping  up  dirt  for  future  railroads,  and 
sinking  ditches  for  future  canals,  j»rc[)ared  the  country  for  the 
catastrophe  ;  and  the  elements,  as  if  teaching  the  lesson  that  JS'aturc 
should  not  always  be  relied  on  to  compensate  for  any  unwonted 
dependence  on  her,  precii)itated  the  disaster  and  made  it  uni- 
versal. 

AVhatevcr  explanation,  however,  Ije  the  true  one,  t lie  Agency 
svstcm  had  its  birth  shortlv  af  :er  the  Panic  of  '?t~  ;  and  tlie  i>eri- 
odical  Trade  panics  since  that  time  liavc  occurred  in  presence  of  its 
continuous  development,  and  as  if  in  deri>ive  comiiieiitary  on  its 
pretensions.  If  its  claims  were  well  founde  1,  irade  jianics  would 
have  been  reduced  or  impossible  ever  since  Is.M),  wlicu  it  claimed 
to  embrace  the  greater  part  of  the  commercial  class.  As  matter 
of  fact,  they  have  been  constantly  shortening  the  period  of  their 
recurrence  and  extending  the  area  of  their  destructiveness.  Of 
two  things,  one:  either  tlio  Agencies  have  not  served  the  purpose 
of  their  oriirin  in  "'ivinir  correct  estimates  of  business  risks,  or 
the  trading  body  has  disregarded  their  advice,  and  either  credited 
when  it  should  not,  or  injuriously  refuseil  1o  do  business  Avhen 
it  might  credit  safely  and  profitably.  We  do  not  ai'giie  jxM  hoc 
ergo  2^''oot':'r  hoc,  but  we  say  that  if  Ave  find  commercial   panics 


n' 


U2 


'JIIK   CCJ.M.MKUriAI.   A(ii;.\cii;.s. 


;i^ 


r' 


iiicrcii-c  ill  iiiiiiiljcr,  noIiiiiic,  ihhI  iiitcii>it y  in  tin:  jirt'Sfiici!  (if  u 
sy.-ti  111  wliicli  claiiiis  to  allunl  |)i'()tcctinii  a^'ain.-t;  lliciii  liy  (Mial))iii;^ 
hiisiiK'.x-;  lo  lie  (•iindiictcil  on  a  ralionally  .^aiV;  lia-is,  wi;  cannot 
o.-('a|i(!  tlmyinL;'  llii;  cllicary  of  llic  syst(!iii  or  adiniltin^-  tliat  it  is 
not  followi'd.  I'^illn.T  i.s  true;  and  fitlier  leaves  tin;  f^ysteni,  wo 
were  alioiil,  to  i-ay.  a  fi-aud  on  snhiO'ibcr.s  or  a  doccption  to  tliu 
coninmnity. 

'I'lieir  diflicidty  dors  Jiot  end  willi  lliis  dilemma.  If  they  do 
not  eonxcy  a  i'(  liahle  basis  for  tralHc,  if  tluy  ai'e  not  i^'cnerailv 
credited  with  doin^-  so,  why  do  tliey  ])i'i'>ist  in  iii'i,dni;  unreliable 
ratinu's  on  th(^  jiuljlic.  and  l'orcin<j;  a  niarla^t  wliich  the  customer's 
own  conduct  shows  to  be  irksome  and  valneless  ^  Are  they  Hlack- 
mailors — coerc(.'i's  of  others'  nionty,  iiivin^'  no  ei|ni\alent,  of  i'ii;lit 
Lelon^'ini:;  to  them  {  Cei'tainly  the;  ]iersi>tent  teiidc.'r  of  a  valueless 
commodity  to  oui'  citizens,  accompanied  with  the  oj)|iortnnity  of 
renderinj;;  the  commodity  annoying:;  and  niiscluexons  if  not  [)nr- 
cliascd,  is  a  siisj>ici(Jii.s  method  of  iiveliliood,  csj)e('ially  ulien  it  is 
remomlicred  that  the  staiidinir,  charactei-,  and  worldly  credit  of 
others  than  themselves  arc  tlu;  e.\cbi.~i\(!  snbjects  of  sale.  If  it  be; 
not  niackmailinic,  it  is  assuredly  not  commerce.  Tiiere  is  such  a 
thin<^  as  a  pui'ely  sentimental  traflic.  in  Ilelics  and  Anti([Ues.  We 
should  ca'!  it  hij^hway  robbery,  however,  if  the  c(»llector  efTeeted 
lin  cxcliani^-e  for  <;-ol(l  nt  tlu;  muzzle  of  a  jtistol. 

I'ut  the  rei^uLir  ])uI)lication  of  A<^ency  lie[)ort.-.  is  fh"  Intnjduc- 
tion  into  Trade  channels  of  an  afllrmatively  disturljiii:^  and  injuri- 
ous element.  Disrej^arded,  in  the  main,  at  and  near  the  residence 
of  the  .Mei'chant  Avliose  ;'i'C(iit  is  rated,  well  or  ill,  accurately  by 
lijuess-woi-k,  or  the  reverse  by  desitrn,  the  Pi'inted  I{e[)oi'ts  must 
liave  the  elTect,  at  a  distance,  of  ]>uttinL,''  caution  a-lecp  and  ames- 
thetizliin'  suspicion.  Suppose  twenty-live  tlioiisand  Sub.--cribers — 
Merchants,  Manufacturers,  Traders,  and  raidvers— in  the  jH'incipal 
commercial  centres  are  I'ated  to  secure  and  ])reservo  their  subscri])- 
tioiis — that  is,  as  (luy  W(julil  w  ish  to  be — and  an  eipial  or  i^nnsater 
number  are  rated  .so  as  to  make  them  anxious  to  be  rated  better  by 
subsci'ibiii^j,- :  we  havi;  iifty  or  more  tlmn-and  men,  in  the  chief 
seats  of  commerce,  mai;iiilied  or  dimini>hed  in  capital  and  credit 
foi'  7'<  ((xnn.s  ii'Jid'hj  ajxift  fi'mii  Tnidc  i\(i^(in>(  and  at  variaucf; 
M'itli  the  natural  ebb  and  flow  of  commercial  alTairs.  The  a(;tual 
condition  of  Inisiness  is  travestied, year  in  aiul  year  out,  by  an  arti- 


-Jmim 


TIIH   S^'STKM    KM'OSKI). 


!t;j 


iicial  <>\\<\  A.  coii-tjiiitly  ;ii'li\  r  ;iii(l  aL''irr»'>-iv<'  iiilcM'c.-t  is  lainixn'- 
iii"- with  tlic  weit^lits  ami  iiii'asurc.s  dl'  crcMlit  aii'l  caiiila!.  If  tin: 
f^L'llcr  il"cs  not  wholly  lu'licva;  in  <>r  act  on  tlicni,  \\r  i.-.  not  a[>t  to 
totally  overlook  tlieni,  ami  is  uion;  or  less,  allhou^-h  iniconscioii.-ly, 
likc'lv  to  acL'ei)t  !iii(l  he  iiilliienced  hy  th(;ni  in  soiih;  dcu'nt.'.  This 
is  the  lirst  (li.>tiirhance  of  Trade.  Jf  wc;  add  to  this  that  the  eapi- 
lal  ratini^sof  the  iu'j)orts  i'e])rosent,  in  the  case  of  sno.uiiii  names, 
a  variahle  excess  over  tlu;  niiniiiiuni  caiiltal  ihrei;  and  a  half  times 
•n-eater  than  the  minimum  of  the  Katiiiirs,  and  vastlv  in  e\rc-;s  of 
the  estimated  census  wealth  id"  the  whoh;  country,  we  mm'.  at  once, 
that  tlie  Ao'eiicies  interject  a  second  elementof  miscal<adation,  also 
iiccesHarily  injurious  and  misleadiiijL^.  ihit  when  we  know  that  tl!(; 
Pi'inti  iJ  \\\\\\\\'^^  of  Capital  are  c()n.'~tanfly  circulated  l.y  the  three 
Agencies  to  l>(),000  Subserihers,  while  the  Secret  Jle|)ort,-,  desi^•ned 
to  modify  tliem,  are  never  publicly  sent  out;  that  the;  bane  is  sold 
and  scattered  broadcast,  and  the  antidote,  real  or  ])reteniled,  is 
hicked  up  ill  the  A^eiu'y  archives  to  be  hIkjwu  to  others  than  the 
pei'sous  alTected,  only  when  specially  aj)[ilii(l  for.  we  need  no 
furtliw  )»rouf  that  in  propoi'tiou  to  the  ^'ivjwth  ui  the  Agencies 
must  be  the  ii;rowth  of  dan::'eroiis  trailini:',  and  con.-rcjueiitly  of 
Trade  })anics — tlie  iirstdiorn  (d"  incon^iderate  Adventure 

The  paiuc  of  1S5I-  Avas  precipitated  by  the  loss  id'  a  ('alifornia 
steamer,  ■which  threw  the  house  of  Pai^e,  I5acon  tV  ( 'o.  into  sus- 
pension, and  so  unsettleil  coididi'Uce  in  others  that  the  sill^■le  event 
assumed  the  dimensions  of  a  national  calamity.  If  we  eou^iderthe 
usual  I'isks  taken  by  I'raders,  the  narrow  ni;n'ii:in  (d'  true  ])rollt,  and 
the  inevitable  losses,  we  hhull  find  ikj  (hiliculty  in  btdievin^-  that 
the  additional  errors  and  losses  broui^ht  about  by  Ai^ency  nusiid'or- 
niat  ion,  in  even  one^yeai',  ^'really  exceed  in  volume  the  freiy'ht  of  an  v 
dozen  ves-(ds  that  ever  .-aileil  the  seas,  or  the  capital  of  anv  dozen 
trading  firms  in  tin;  I'nited  Slate-.  The  i;-rowin^-  dependenci'.  too, 
of  one  Trade  interest  on  eseiy  other  cnlaru'es  the  ar(.M  of  inlluence 
and  danger,  Avliile,  within  the  special  Traih,-  ino>t  <lirectly  con- 
c(M'ned,  a  surprising  susjiension  carries  within  itself  the  causes  and 
occasions  of  a  stii'ies  (d'  oihers,  each  moi-(!  alai'nung  anil  calandloiis 
than  the  last,  "^riiu  suspension  of  om;  iJaidv  or  Trust  ('ouipanv 
creates  a  run,  more  or  less,on  a  (Jo;.en  IJanks.  The  unnecessary, 
unexpected,  tui'l  extra  business  losses  caused  by  Agencies  are,  of 


rr 


{\r 


',)\ 


TIIK    rOMMKIU.'IAL    AGK.NCIKS, 


c'lll  otlicr.-^,  tlio  most  apt  to  .'istonisli  uiid  disinay  iiiciTliuiits,  and  li> 
(create  a  ])artial  or  ^eiioral  ])fiiii(;  in  llie  lino. 

Tlio  pn.c.vA'm'^  iia_Ljo,-i  liavi;  baroiy  toucliud  flic  mavs  of  hisses 
(•auscd,  witliin  tlio  porsonal  knowlodgo  of  tlio  writor,  in  a  Towcntios 
in  a  liricf  jicriod  \>y  oiio  Agency,  and  tlio  li^t  might  ho  allno^t  in. 
iinitoly  oxtondod  if  spaoo  jjcrniittod.  Wo  can  only  instance  an  ag- 
gravated additional  oxaniphj  of  tlio  sanio  kind,  wliicli  lias  just 
found  its  way  into  (.'oin-t. 

Alioiit  SiKjOoO  or  Ihci'oaboiit.-;,  in  j)a[»(;r,  of  a  N'(;\v-(  )rlcans  nior- 
cliant  was  olTorcd  in  ]\Ionti'(:al  in  connection  Avitli  an  ad\anta^oou.s 
bargain  to  a  niorcliant  of  tlio  lattor  city  naniod  .).  A.  Convor.so. 
IIo  .'i])pliod  to  the  MtHitroal  ollici!  of  Dun,  Winian  I'c  Co.  for  .^[)ecial 
inforinatioii,  stating  tlio  faetn.  Tlio  Agency,  after  f^onio  delay,  gave 
him  .y>cc/'al  a.s.siii"aiK!e  that  flio  f/rt/wco  was  good  for  aliiKj.^t  any 
amount.  Tho  bargain  was  ofTcctod  under  this  advice,  aiul  tho 
Montreal  merchant  jtlac(;d  the;  Notes  in  tho  (.'oll(;ction  Ijureau  of 
tho  Ag(;ncy  for  collection.  The  Collectitiii  l>ureaii,  within  a  few 
days,  and  ignorant  of  the  advice  given  liy  its  (,'ompany,  returned 
th<;  Xotes  as  valueless,  and  reported  to  the  merchant  that  tho  Xow- 
Orloans  ti"a<Ier  had  failed  Jiiontlis  before! 

Hero  was  not  alono  the  gro,s.s  neglect  to  inquire,  and  resulting 
ignorance,  such  as  we  have  s!  n  t<j  be  normal  with  the  Agencies, 
but  the  exorcise  (A  a  special  effort  to  ]»'oeuro  the  truth  r(;,-riiltiiig  in 
a  loss  of  i^  10,000  to  Mr.  Converse,  whoso  damag(;s  may  be  i-ectivcr- 
(;d  in  the  (Joiirts,  but  whoso  serious  hjss  must  have  jirodiicod  in  his 
line  of  trading  many  consocjuential  los.ses,  and  perhajiS  failure  to 
othei's  having  relations  with  bin 


ins  occiirrencf 


;— only 


.f 


one  <d   many   similar  ones   whicli  oui 


ich 


space  does  not  ])ermit  us  to  detail — was  no  doubt  the  ])redisposing 
cause  f)f  tli(!  urgent  haste  with  which  the  "New  Agreeniont,"  n,'- 
ferred  t(j  in  a  former  chapter,  was  ])ressed  on  the  attention  of 
managers,  ami  the  old  o'lo  surreptiti(Misly  withdrawn  and  can- 
celled. The  Agen(ry,  accustomed  heretofore  to  mere  .suits  for  Libel 
with  incidents  of  Damage,  was  naturally  alarmed  at  an  action  seek- 
ing t«/  rec'over  losses  ari.-ing  from  false  information  ;  and  it  sought 
to  intcri)ose  liotween  itself  and  an  inevitable  I>ankru])tcy,  for  this 
cause,  a  double-dealing  contract  which  protected  it  from  tho 
consequences  of  an  almost  universal  ignorance.  I'nder  the  last,  or 
"  New"  Agreement,  the  Agency  has  secured  a  double  purpose. 


ly.  ..iL.#. 


•ll\K   .S^'HTKM    i;Xl'(J.-KI). 


9.') 


l]i;it  1-,  liv'',  lliir  iKUii]  ;  III    il,;  .-ill)  cri'icr.:  .'iml  ciihMc  1  il  ic!i'  i  i  t  dih- 
liiiif.  if   i'  .-ImiiM  cliod.-".  with  frMiiiliilciit  tiMilcrs  witli  ini|-!iiiil  v. 
\\'li,'tt    is  \<i  jii'i'vciil  llic  li;iji|)i'niiiu'' "t"  .-iicli  ii   fruu'l  ;i.s  Uo.s.i  it 


sCi 


I.  i: 


aiiv  ini-iiil](;f  of  iui 


,f 


(.'ii.  porpL'ti'jilcil   I'll  Wall  .'trt'ct    in  I 

llio  A^'cncics  \vi'!'(!  iiifliir-("|.  in  \]t:w  <,\'  tlin  jii-c-ciit,  wniit  of  rc-poii- 

.sibilitv  iiii'lcf  IIk-  lU'W  ai^-rcciiK.-iit,  lo  (iitci-  into  an  ai'iMnLi'i'iin'iit,  for 


■titioM  ^      Ko.-s  it  Co.  (.■.-lali!i.~lici]   tlicni 


Its  n'|)ctitioM  f  lio.-s  iV  (  o.  (.■.-lalili.~lici|  tli(;ni-(  l\c;  in  tlio  vicinitv 
of  Wall  sti'('(:l  at;  tlii'  tini<!  ni(,'iitioiicil,  an<l  scjciii'u'l,  hy  mi'iuis  wliicli 
may  Iin  I'oailily  coinprclHtnilc'l,  Ag<;n<'y  indorsfjiiicnt.  AVitli  it-,  a;- 
si.-taii''(!  tlicy  colh.'ctcd  S'fj0i',0<,'0  on  <lcpo.-it  within  a  .-hoi't  pci'ioil. 
iniviiig  a  luodcnito  fimhilion,  tliis  sum  sati^ficil  them,  aii'l  they  .-(;f; 
ahoiit  j)o.ssc.s.sini^  it  in  their  own  i'i;jht.  KiiowiiiLMhat;  \\i:  lia'l  no 
Kxti'aditiou  Treaty  with  llrazil,  they  chartfTcl  a  .-(•hoom  )■  foi-  oikj 
of  the  ports  (»f  that,  country,  .'ct  .-lil  on  a  Satui'day  cvcnini,' Avitli 
tlu!  treasure,  and  paid  s^w.OOD  to  the  eajttain  to  land  them  in  safe- 


tv 


Sf 


omc.when;   in  the 


< 


nU 


M 


exico 


th 


ipt 


i(!  (•ai)tani   eonceived  ;i 


(|">ll-(! 


tor  a 


I. 


_•(  •  ]• 


diare  of 


jilunder.  and   (.'xacted   one    hui  - 


di'cd   tlion.-and   dollar- 


it    ( 


paid    it. 


Tl, 


ve-se 


an<l 


treasure,  laiKJed  ;  the  indoived  IIanl:e)'s  have  not  .-Iikm;  h(;en  Ihmin] 
of,  and  tlio  deeeived  de[io>iloi'.-;  j.a^-ed  ijnietly  into   the   pivx'es.iioii 


of  A 


^rency  dupi 


HI 


If  tlio  AL^eneies  liad  eoi'rectly  rafcf 
an,  .SIi(;rman  it  do.,  .lay  (.'ooke  it  Co.,  II 


eni'v 


lew 


it    Co.,     1)1 


111- 


lowe 


it  M: 


lev,  aii'l  otheiv-'. 


when  they  ]iret(,'ndeil  to  i'at(!  tliem  at  all,  the-  last  I'anie,  undei- 
Avhich  w(;  ai'e  still  laborinix,  would  not  have  sprea<l  so  far  or  struck 
so  deej) ;  but  i-atini?  them  as  they  di'l,  in  '•  I'lilimitetl  Credit"  and 
th  '•  rnlimited  (.'a]jital,''  they  spr(;ad  u  net  for  their  [latrous,  and 


wi 


rendered  di.snster  mon;  disastrrjus  hy  liillin;^  imjniry, 


At  the  hest.  Tr 


ide  111 


tjie  Cnitid  States,  ever  since  the  (;lose  of 


tlie  war,  lias  been  easily  alVeeted  l>y  comparatively  small  di-tiii'l)- 
anccs.  k^ixty  thousand  l!ooks,  i.-su(;d  half  yearly  and  (piartei-ly  to 
thirty  tliousand  menthants,  and  incorrectly  ratim^  (;r>ii,(ju<»  men  out 
of  P''>ft,O0('»,  would  seem  to  sii])ply  a  .-iillif;ient  explanation  and  to 
affoi'd  a  i'easonal>l(j  >oliit!on  for  jnanv  untoward  vici.-.-itiides  in  the 


husine.sH  of  the  T'nited   State-^  and  Canada.      V 


anic 


liav 


(;  irroWM 


out  of  lesser  infl 


ueiiee: 


an< 


1  it  is  (jur  belief  that  tlie  Atrencies  not 


only  do  7iot  assist  to  ^ive  stability  and  security  to  Trade,  but  that 
they  always  and  everywhere  un.-(;ttle  commercial  relatioii.s  jiir^t  in 
proportiun  to  the  attention  which  they  attract. 


■I 


'.n; 


TlIK   CUilMLUCIAL  AGENClJiri. 


I'iS! 


^M 


r'TiArTEi:  xy. 

DO  Till',  ACKXC'IKS  MAKF,  TIIH  COlJlJErTTONS  WIIKII    TIIF.Y  CLAIM 
TO  MAKFV— Hi;TUAYIN(i   I.NtiUlUKHS  'lO  KACll  OTIIKU. 

Mvi.i:  ,-iiii'i'  till'  wi'itri'  ;iiiiiiiiiiii'((l  liii  Iiilciil  imi  Id  iiitrodin-'.! 
tliti  ]iiililic  fii  llic  interior  (if  llic  Aiiciicic-;  IIh.'  latter  liave  sliowii 
'^vvdt  alacrity  in  rccciviiii^  corrections  df  tlicir  re[KirtH.  AVaiitin^^ 
utlier  iiifoi'niation,  tliey  arc  u'lad  to  take  the  niorcliant's  estimato 
of  liiiiiself,  and,  eager  t(j  l;u  I'id  of  tlio  respf)nh;ilji]ity  foi*  gi'ossly 
false  ()!•  niidicious  statements  already  gathered  or  jmlilislied,  they 
promise  aiii(ii<l.s  and  place  the  indignant  merchant,  /<>  aJJ  cqijicar- 
(ivo.s^  just  as  niu.-h  above  his  deserts  as  they  hiid  pn  vioiir-]y  placed 
him   liclow  them. 

They  are  as  considerate  and  acconniiodating  in  all  this  as  one 
of  their  own  canvassers  who,  exhausting  his  eloquence  In  vain  to 
i;et  ;i  statement  and  a  subscription,  recently  informe<l  fi  city  mer- 
chant (a  ^fr.  AN^ronkow)  that  he  would  he  obliged  by  the  loan  of 
live  dollai's.  Ihit  these  appearances  are  misleading  and  designed 
to  mislead.  For  oiu;  injm-ed  and  nn'sre])rcsciited  man  who  will 
call  on  them  for  a  correction  a  dozen  will  neglect  to  do  so,  or  re- 
main ignorant  of  a  reason  for  impiiring  cxcejit  as  this  book  may 
suii'trest  it.     Tt  is  not  yet  understood  bv  business  men  that  the  best 

Pro  V  * 

public  ratings  in  the  lleference  Bcioks  ai'c  often  cudy  cloaks  behind 
Avhich  lurk  the  most  damaging  reports  ;  and  that  while  ratings 
may  I'cniaiu  constant,  the  private  reports  may  be  variable  and  con- 
tratlictory,  and  ri<u:  v<i's<.(.  Persons  satisfiefl  with  their  ratings,  and 
not  leai'uing  their  ftntus  on  the  Black  Lists  from  us,  will  not  think 
of  calling  ;  whereas  those  M'lio  do  call,  with  excerpts  fi'om  the 
Black  Lists,  will  be  promised,  and  Avill  ap[)arcntly  receiv(>,  an  im- 
mediate coi'rection  on  the  Printed  Jie])orts,  with  many  verbal  pla- 
cating a])ologies  for  libel.  Jhif  ihe  old  ncord  vu/l  remain  hi  the 
Bool'.s :  v'UI  lie  ctreuhit<d  from  the  Branch,  Oficcs  ;  and  v^ ill  he 
read  xrith  the  eornjdainanfii'  "  sa>/  so  "  evrry  ihue  the  latter  is  rc- 
q^icstcdffor  years  to  come — just  as  the  secret  reports  of  some  of  our 


\{   : 


M 


ii  ,r-.^ 


Tin:  PVSTKM  EXi'osi:i). 


lllDSl 


hoiiMrc:!   iiic'fcliaiits  (■diitiiiii,  wifliiii  twciitv  linrs    df  wriliii 


,->> 


details  of  ])iircly  imaginary  and  scaiulaloiisly  malicious  charts  of 
fraud  and  ci'iiiK!  alleged  to  have  liccii  (•oiiiiiiittcd  tliirtv  years  aijol 
The  new  re[iort  is  adijed,  indeed,  as  the  man's  o])inion  of  himself ; 
the  liljels  it  was  meant  to  eorreet  remain  too,  to  he  read  in  e\c'rv 
nraneli  Otllce  in  tlie  United  States,  Canada,  and  Knro[)e,  ainl  to  ^o 
down  and  out  with  the  inoditieation,  as  the  only  ''  outside,"  a!id 
therefore  controlling,  estimate  of  the  capital,  credit,  and  cha 
of  the  alTectcd   merchant.     The   Airen 


ish 


racier 

It  n 


cies  escajie  ]»wnistiment  tor 
wrongs  done  ;  IIh.-  merchant  goes  about  his  husiness  ;  Iiut  the  tirst 
in(|uirer  at  the  ageiuy  v:t7l  hmw  all  that  ever  was  written  of  him 
read  on  recjuest,  just  as  if  no  com]ilaint  had  been  made  cu'  amend- 
ment and  i'e])aration  had  been  promised. 

The  erasure  from  tlie  secret  record  of  th(!  offensive  statements 
in  the  personal  presence  df  the  libelled,  both  in  the  principal  arid 
JJranch  offices,  would  alone  destroy  the  ofTenslvo  matter  and  cor- 
rect the  agencies'  lialjit  of  ])erpetuating  the  wholly  false  and  the 
half  true  indiscriminately.  This  has  never  been  done — the  agen- 
cies ])referring  to  deceive  the  injured  l)y  an  amiable  exterior,  a 
penitent  expression,  and  an  abundance  of  lies. 

They  think  the  present  agitation  oidy  a  storm  after  all  ;  and 
they  hope  to  (piell  it  and  reach  (piieter  times  by  being  "  all  things 
'*  to  all  men,"  and  ])rotesting  they  meant  no  harm  while  fatally 
stabbing  reputations  or  imperilling  the  success  of  a  lifetime. 

To  show  the  dovetailing  of  old  slanders  in  new  reports,  and  the 
system  adopted  of  reading  them  out  together,  we  select  the  instance 
of  a  well-known  I'uilder  in  New- York  City,  condensed  from  Xhv. 
Pdack  J.ist  of  Dun,  Barlow  k  Co.  from  June  ISOl  to  1S74. 
giving  alao  the  names  of  persons  and  firms  to  whom  this  epitome 
was  read  at  the  })eri(xls  hereunder,  and  the  Branch  offices  to 
which  the  same  was  transmitted. 

VOL.  XI.,  I'AfiE  2J:i,  NKW-YOIIK  CITY  KECOKI). 


"  .lune  8(1,  18(il.— Failed  many  yeiirs  apo,  and  wUlcd  at  'H't  cents  on  the  dollar.     Wim 

'  KDUii'  lime  out  OL  Ijuainc'.-s,  but  suljseiiin'ntly  {^ol  a  large  ci)iitract  on  the  S Iinlt- 

'  tiitiiiii,  Wa.-^liiiijJiton.     Of  late  years  has  been  (ipeculatini^  and  buildini;  in  coiincc'tion 

'  with  hisbrotlier-in-law, ,  who  is  well  off  and  has  supplied  the  means  mostly.     An 

'  tceedeiits  are  bad,  and  he  is  not  reliable  ;  parties  who  sold  him  previous  to  his  failure 
'  decline  dealing  with  him  except  for  cash  down." 


ir 


!)S 


TIIK   COMMKKCIAL   AC  KN'CIKS. 


I 


M 


'•  OcIdIki-  Kill,  isr2.— I.sRllll  Dlinctor  and  Stitcklioldor  in  llm  IJ Niitionnl  Hunk; 

•'  ul.-i)  ill  the  Ncw-YorU Iu!'iiniii('c  (.'oinininy.     (Mviis  viilualilu  fmiii  at ,  Conn,, 

■' ami  ~cv(ial  valuable  jiiufus  of  real  islati;  in  tlii.i  city.  Ilusajii  liu  1-.  wortli  nearly  ii 
•'  li:iir  iiilllidii  dollars,  while  iiiort"  VDitarrnitiri'  null  placi.'  liiin  at  from  ^tlOO  0(X)  to  $;2(X),- 
•'  OIK).  Is  sliarp  and  flirowd,  liiil  inriliKul  to  be  u  little  overruacliini;  ;  consciinently  he 
■'  is  not  iiopiilar.    TurticH  deuiinj^  with  liini  ishould  have  tlieir  contracts  dearly  detlncd." 


0C.(5fi— Syracuse  Iliancli  Olllce, 
47(X)— Alliaiiy  Hninch  olllce. 
Toil— IJurr  i\;  Cliielicster. 


TiTM — f.  F.  Dnnbnr.inn  iV:  Co. 
4.S.'.S— Kquitahlc  Life  Assurance  Society. 
053— Tapjian  iV  Carr. 


"  .Taiiiiary  :?Otli,  1874. — Owns  coiisidcnihle  iiroiwrty,  and  is  no  doubt  worth  over 
"  *I(M),(l<K>.  Some  do  not  lilie  his  way  of  deallni;;,  but  still  is  reirarded  good  where  u 
"  fair  uiKlerstaudini;  is  had." 

VOL.  viiL,  V.  rm. 

"  October  23d,  IH7\. —Iuiil>d  hi  1S4.'),  oirhi;/  JW.OOO,  ami  nnri-  »ltlr<l.  Continued 
"  buildin;;  on  contracts,  and  has  since  accumulated  real  estate  variously  estimated 
•' worlli  j!UH),(H)U  to  $;50(J,IK)(».  Ls  at  present  doini;  no  active  business.  Is  a  Director 
•■  and  .'^loeKlioldtjr  in  the  B —  National  IJank.  Ls  rci^ardcd  sharp,  shrewd,  and,  his 
"  ]ii-(vioiis  history  shows,  somewliat  unscru|)ulous,  althou<j;li  it  is  ffii>iit//it  tliatfor  ?30(H) 
"to  $;{()U()  he  would  be  a  fair  risk,  and  would  doubtless  settle  if  matters  were  clearly 
'  tli'lincd." 


w 


i:  \ 


".riis— I'coples'  Bank. 
:U)'-:.S— H.  Cole  &  Co. 
:i:2si— Danimlt  &  Brolhor. 


5(V>1 — Harris,  Richmond  »fe  SehatFer. 
51)01— 1'\  Krutiua  »fc  Co. 


\\y  Dun,  I'urlow  <fc  Co.'s  own  pviiitcd  Ileport  this  Avell- 
known  c-iti/.eii,  '•  wlio  is  not  reliable,''  who  "  settled  "  aiul  "  did  not 
settle,"  wlio  is  a  '•  fair  business  risk  for  only  §2000  or  $;W00 
whenc-leurly  defined,''  is  rated  '' D  2  "—850,000  to  810O,0iiO— and 
g(K)d  eredit  !  V>y  MeKillop  &  Sprague  Co.,  A  1,  1,  A  a— $750,- 
(H)0  ti)  Si, 000,000 — highest,  undoubted  C(»mmereial  credit  !  ]?y 
J.  3r,  Uradstreet  &  Son,  A  A,  B  15 — superior  business  character 
and  ability,  and  in  excellent  credit! 

X(jt  alone  is  the  contradiction  of  the  report  glaring  and  unac- 
countable, but  the  reader  must  not  omit  to  notice  thiit  the  subject- 
matter  has  passed  from  Yol.  XI.  back  to  A"ol.  VIII.  of  the  Re- 
ports ;  so  that,  even  if  the  agency  allowed  the  error  to  be  amended 
and  erased  from  the  last  volume,  the  derogatory  matter  would  still 
remain  on  the  earlier  books,  to  be  seen  and  used  of  all  subscribers, 
on  request. 

Perhaps  no  class  of  persons  arc  more  persistently  and  con- 
tinuou.sly  libelled  than  those  engaged  in  competing  with  the  col- 
lection l)ureau.\  of  the  Agencies,  and  we  find  hostile  reports  of 


TIIK   SYSTKM    EXPOSED. 


09 


iraiifc  Society. 


tlu-'.so  linns  ;iik1  :insociatii)iis  niiiiiiii^  throu^li  the  volimics  in  uvory 
direction.  Tlic  Mcrcluuits'  Liw  and  ('((lloftioii  Association,  111- 
man  6c  Kcniin<.(t(>n,  .lulin  Jl.  Watscju  S:  C'o.,  Colui  iV:  C\>.,  and 
others,  ai'(!  industriously  assailed  heeansc  tlicy,  cacli  in  their  own 
way,  lessen  the  ])rudu('t  of  the  Agencies' collections ;  and  it  is  to 
he  h(»j)ed  that  men  like  AV^atson  and  assoclationri  like  tho  ^[er• 
cliaiits'  I^aw  and  (Joilection  Association  will  not  rest  content  with 
more  contradiction,  hut  will  show  our  merchants  and  traders 
the  hest  method  ot'  having  every  thing  ollensive  iind  falso  induhi- 
tahly  erased,  as  well  as  denied  and  excused.  The  advantage  of 
such  example  would  soon  crowil  the  branch  ollices  ot'  the  Agencies 
with  clamontus  subserlhurs  and  non-subscribers  who  have  suffered 
for  years,  and  theso  too-patient  people  would  exact  tho  same  pro- 
caution  against  future  wrongs  to  reputation  and  impediments  to 
business. 

Let  it  bo  understood  that  erasure  is  tho  <ui///  means  of  getting 
I'id,  for  the  time  being,  of  erroneous  and  scandalous  matter;  ihatto 
be  thorough  it  must  be  procured  in  the  branch  offices  as  well  a  sin 
the  principal  otiices  ;  and  that  persons  affected  should  not  rest  until 
they  had  assured  themselves  by  personal  inspection  tliat  the  true 
l>lackList — the  most  destructive  and  injurious  reports — had  really 
been  exhibited  to  them  and  destroyed.  Many  have  complained 
and  been  put  off.  It  rests  with  the  readers  of  this  work  to  secure 
etfectual  protection  from  at  least  the  repetition  t)f  baseless  rumord 
and  groundless  accusations. 

Tho  past  wrong  riglited,  however,  wliat  security  can  be  <lcvised 
for  the  future  consistently  with  the  existence  of  these  Agencies  i 
This  is  the  true  (question.  In  the  presence  of  almost  imiumorable 
lil)els  and  shmders  emanating  from  certain  of  the  persons  employed 
by  tho  Agencies  during  the  past  thirty-four  years,  they  have  not 
been  brought  face  to  face  with  more  than  fifty  suits,  owing  to  their 
methods  of  sei'recy  and  ])rompt  compromise  of  threatened  difHcul- 
ties.  These  same  precautions  and  readiness  to  arrest  legal  ex- 
posure of  their  system  will  be  taken  hereafter.  Suits  brought  will 
be  compromised ;  suits  threatened  will  be  anticipated  by  friendly 
ratings ;  proposed  legislation  will  be  lobbied  down  with  money ; 
and,  uidess  this  exposure  bear  fruit  in  some  concerted  action 
against  the  institution,  vast  sums  will  bo  continued  to  be  forced 
out  of  cowardly  merchants,  and  j^rivato  character  will  continue  to 


Iil  11*^ 


i 


m 

if': 
■i' 


■  1 


100 


THE   COMMKKCIAL   AGEXClliS. 


mi 


1)0  !it  tlio  nioivy  of  every  one  who  lun  a  point  to  make  a^i;'aiiist  an 
iulvcrsarv  or  a  husiiiesr^  ffvicH  to  i,'ratit'y.  Without  private  reports 
the  ])nl>]i(i  ratiii_i,'s  -would  bo  <piickly  discovered  valueless,  or 
friendly  and  iiiisleadiii«^;  so  that  the  preservation  of  these  reports 
is  essential  to  the  existence  of  the  Agencies;  must  Ijj  persisted  in 
from  necessity ;  und  even  if  old  libels  are  expuni^ed,  new  ones  must 
bo  wi'ittcn  and  uttered.  The  only  true  euro  is  in  the  hands  of 
merclia  its  themselves.  Let  them  refuse  to  renew  thi'ir  subscrip- 
tions u  .'1  r  such  new  agreement  as  Dun,  IJarlow  v.V  Co.  tender, 
and  let  ii,o  State Le«^islatures, under  their  inl!uenco,pas4  laws  coni- 
[lellinj^  the  Ai^encies,  under  the  penalty  of  liiu;  and  imprisonment, 
rofpiirinij;  every  reference  to  a  nxan's  credit,  business  stamlinir,  or 
private  character  to  bo  open  to  the  inspection  of  any  citizen 
who  may  consider  himself  interested.  There  is  no  hards]ii[)  in 
this  ])ro[)osition.  Whatever  the  Agencies  iiold  out  as  subject  to 
general  wA'  oui:;ht  to  be  subject  to  (joiend  innpeatioN.  If  this  re- 
quirement Avould  be  onerous  to  the  A^-encies  it  would  only  be  just 
to  the  ])ublic,  whose  characters  are  the  stajile  of  the  .V<fencies' 
specidations  and  })rolits.  If  the  Aii;encies  should  uri;v  the  needless 
publicity  of  this  plan,  we  answer,  oidy  those  will  examine  who  are 
interested,  as  now  ;  whereas,  no6  as  now,  the  ])arty  more  intc^rested 
than  all  others,  the  reported,  will  have  an  opportunity  of  kn(>win<^ 
what  is  said  about  him,  and  to  whom  it  is  said.  It'  it  be  true,  the 
Aijcncies  will  have  saved  their  subscribers  from  loss,  and  should 
stick  to  it  as  a  portion  of  the  venture,  for  which  they  are  ])aiil  so 
handsomely ;  if  it  is  false,  it  may  be  corrected  as  soon  as  known, 
and  so  save  imperilled  credit  and  assailed  character  from  a  slow, 
secret,  and  assassindikc  destruction. 

IJiit  how  can  the  Agencies  {)retend  to  lessen  the  publicity  of 
unfavorable  matter  ?  Why,  it  occupies  a  great  ])art  of  the  time  of 
the  Agencies  to  (/ice  the  iiatius of  ,subii<'i'!bei'f<  who  have  Six'i'etJy  in- 
(pdred  altout  their  neighhors,  and  these  names  are  Kcldam  refused! 
That  is  to  s!iy,  the  Agencies  betray  all  i)arties  in  turn :  in(piir- 
crs  to  each  other,  and  subscribers,  for  small  and  large  yearly  sums, 
alike. 

For  instance,  if  Opdycke,  Terry  6c  Steele,  or  Evans,  Peake  ct 
Co.,  dry-goods,  of  Xew-York,  wish  to  know  if  E.  S.  Jalfray  ifc  Co., 
]I.  B.  (Matlin  6c  Co.,  A.  T.  Stewart  &  Co.,  or  any  other  house  in 
their  owii  or  oth  r  lines  of  trade,  have  inquired  about  Clement, 


It:i' 


TIIK  SYSTKM    KXPOSKD. 


101 


M 


ol'lo 


n  i^-  ( 


I).,  o 


f  CI 


licMlJo,   .InlH 


w 


anicr  i*^'  ( 'o. 


.f  V\ 


IllUllc'lllillll. 


or  .1.  i^'  L.  Si'iisoii^ixxl,  iif  n.illiuiorc,  M'// /'.'///  /iiir/h  t/ir  f'lfi  of. 
o)a'(' ;  and  tlie  custoiiiers  iiiav  rcudilv  he  iiKlnccI  to  cliaiii'o  tlioir 
plat'o  of  Iradiiiy-  liy  a  ffprescutatioii  oF  flic  A^v/  iiujuiriM'  tliat  tlio 
olhei'.'i  liiul  six-rctly  iiiiiiiirc'(l  ahoiit  tlioiii  at  tin;  A^eiU'V,  iind  had 
lortt  ('oiifidoiu't!  ill  (heir  criMlit  I  IIV  kiioo'  that  subscrihi'i'.-^  rocoivo 
tliirt  iiifoi'iiiatioii   not   only  from   tlic  clerks,  but  arc   formally  I 


)(!- 


II  svstcni,  and  not  as;  an  isolated  fact  of  \\\v  Im^.'ic 


My 


tr.iyc  I,  o 

this  means  many  old  and  <;-ood  customers  are  lost  lo  nu'rcliaiitH, 
tlie  nu'anest  and  most  knavlnh  generally  hein:^  successful  in  pliiy- 
iiii:;  on  the  feeliui^s  oi  the  s^olicitor  for  credit,  and  indiicinij  id'n  to 
withdraw  from  relations  so  deroifatory  to  se]f-resj)ect  and  hnsiIloa^ 
jiride.  If  tlie  .V<,H!ncies  do  not  regard  the  interest  of  men-hiints 
who  a[»|ily  to  them  in  cuntidcuce,  they  cannot  ]>ut  on  a  show  of 
consideration  when  tlie  publicity  of  the  trader's  standintj  osdy  is  at 
stake.  Thcv  ^ivo  another  illustration  of  '•  strainintr  at  ii  jrnat  and 
swallowiiii;;  a  camel."  We  know  of  d(»zens  of  suhscrihcrs  to  the. 
Agencies  who  have  lost  in  one  year  one  hundre<l  times  the  amount 
of  their  subscription  by  having  their  iiKpiiries  disclosed  to  compet- 
ing merchants,  wlio  took  advantage  of  the  circumstance  to  ac(piirc 
new  customers.  The  best  customers,  in  fact,  were  generally  the 
efRcient  cause  of  cupidity;  for  who  would  desire  a  bad  one  i  And 
when  a  good  one  could  bo  got  by  so  simple  means,  Avho  would  hes- 
itate to  adi»pt  them  ', 


w 


f  1* 


V 


102 


TllK   CoMMliltClAL  AUO'ClJiS. 


It  1 


lli' 


'"M 


||: 


CTTAPTKU   XVL 

THE  UEI.ATIOXS  OF  AfJENCIKS  TO  NON-SmSCUinKltS  AND  "  STHEKT" 
IMMOUS-COIJLI)  CREDITS  BE  OUAUANTEEI)  AND  HISINESS  I'HO- 
FITS  MADE  TO  DEPEND  MOllE  EXCI.l'SIVELY  ON  THE  AMOUNT 
OF   SALES? 

AVk  Imvo  licretoforo  niiiinlv  iuldrcsscd  ourselves  to  Affonev 
8ubscTil)ers,  aecustoined  to  sou  the  J'ooki^,  to  vend  tlie  Motiticatioii 
Sheets,  and  to  be  broii<,'lit  into  contact  Avith  the  Suliciturs,  Offices, 
or  Collectors.  Such  a  relation  implies  a  certain  amount  of  expe- 
rience ;  and  avo  have  taken  thia  experience  for  granted,  and  written 
as  if  it  relieved  ns  from  much  of  mere  explanation  and  also  a  great 
many  illustrations.  Every  reader  of  this  Iiook  will  have  seen,  in 
his  own  limited  circle,  dozens  of  ])roofs  i»f  ignorance,  mistake,  or 
malice  ;  every  one  Avho  has  api)lied  for  a  ''private  rei)ort ''  at  the 
offices  has  had  an  opportunity  of  securing  a  taste  (tf  the  silly,  rot- 
ten, or  rancid  stuff  Avliich  they  dole  out  as  carefully  and  solemnly 
as  if  it  were  honey  from  Ilybla  or  the  chrism  of  some  tremendous 
religious  rite;  and  every  one  who  has  met  the  "  Credit,  men,"  Can- 
vassers, and  Collectors  need  not  be  told,  at  any  great  length,  of  their 
amenability  to  impression,  ])r()porly  made,  their  ussiduity  in  urg- 
ing threats  nndcr  the  disguise  of  applications,  and  their  readiness 
to  receive,  as  honest  sui»jdenient  to  salary,  any  loose  change  which 
the  merchant  may  desire  to  spare.  For  KKbscrihirs  the  iisefulness 
of  this  work  is  only  in  showing  that  their  particular  experience  is 
the  residt  of  a  system  Avhieh  inevitably  renders  the  same  experience 
common  and  consequential ;  and  it  would  add  nothing  to  its  force 
if  we  were  to  ])iIo  example  upon  example  of  the  efHcicncy  of  a 
live-dollar  bill,  the  saving  efficacy  of  a  chest  of  tea,  or  the  molli- 
fying effect  of  one  or  more  baskets  of  French  wines,  on  these 
Agency  spies,  Tf  each  reader  were  to  add,  to  the  sample  proofs 
supplied  by  us,  his  individual  experience,  amass  of  incidents,  corro- 
borative of  our  statements,  Avould  l)o  gathered  sufficient  to  fill  twenty 
books  as  large  as  this;  and  it  is  manifestly  useless  for  us  to  go  on 


tmmmmm 


TIIK   8VSTKM    KXI'OSKI). 


|(i;! 


m:ss  vuo. 

!■:  AMOUNT 


13     .'^C'CIl,    111 


furtlu'i',  piiifc  afttM'  ]»ap',  iii  imivlii^  auaiii  jiikI  a^aiii  ulial.  with  the 
fvidiiitt!  ahvaily  in,  ami  tiiat  poSfi'sscd  in  every  stri'ct,  tuwn,  vil- 
hige,  ami  liaiiiU't.  in  thi^  lan<l,  cannot  ho  fnie.^tinnecl.  \\\\  turn, 
tlierei'ore,  to  that  vast  hudy  of  ^ferchantrt  iiinl  Traih'is  who  imu- 
lically  take  little,  if  any,  interest  in  the  exiHteiieo  of  the  A<^cncies, 
or  do  not  l<no\v  of  tlr  ii-  cjxisteiiee  ttf  all ;  %vho  buy  and  sell,  j^ive 
iiiid  >^vl  ei'iMlit,  on  the  iipntation  made  or  learned  in  llu'  n'ooil  old 


w 


'V 


tf  the  "'ood  old  time  before  A"'eneies  existed  ;  and  who  ma\ 


sec  no  danger  in  the  Svstcm  siniiilv  becanso  they  have  never  i-e.i- 
lizod  that  it  operates  on  them  lOi'f/ionf  f/nlr  /incir/i'dije.  Of  this 
number  more  thiiii  800,000 exist  in  the  I'nited  States  ami  Canada; 
for  the  .'>(»,000  subscribers  to  the  Agencies  are  really  the  only  ones 


w 


ho  make   it  a  liahit  to  learn    how    themselves   are  rati'(l,  ] 


low 


others  are   rated,  or  use  the    IJeports  to  Inthihjc  tn  ^fforfK  to  roii- 
ti'ol  tilt  ir  own  (111(1  othct'ii   ratinf/K. 

!Now,  it  is  just  among  this  great  body  of  ??r>/i -subscribers  thai 
the  Agencies  exert  the  most  malign,  bcjcause  unknown,  intlneiices. 
The  Subscribers  g(!t  the  llefereiice  Pxioks  and  learn  what  isy^/v'/t^ 


re 


I  about  them — if  not,  what  is  on  the   secret  records.     Tl 


le  lum- 


subscribers  do  not  get  the  i»rinted  lleports  ;  liavo  no  means  of  even 
suspecting  what  is  said  of  them  in  the  private  records;  and  do 
business  in  jjcrfect  ignorance  of  the  many  ways  of  alTecting  their  cre- 
dit and  dealings  indulged  in  by  the  three  Agencies  and  their  Credit 
Raters  ami  Detective  Correspondents.  A  //(/;/-suljscrilier  isrefnse<l 
credit,  or  is  placed  on  a  low  mai'gin  of  cndit  by  a  wholesaler.  He 
sees  only  an  exercise  of  imlividual  caution  in  the  circumstance.  lie 
is  suddenly  called  on  to  vav  iii)  by  a  creditor  from  whom  no  -iich 
message  is  expected  or  a]i[)arently  natural.  He  wond(;r.s  at  the 
novel  urgency,  and  pays  up  indignantly,  often  at  a  sacrilice.  lie 
is  in  the  habit  of  exchani:in;r  suri)lus  bnes  of  stock  with  another 
trader,  and  even  this  convenience!  is  abruptly  withdrawn,  lie 
wonders  at  the  variableness  of  men,  ainl  still  sets  the  oi'dirrciicc 
down  to  accident  or  to  an  niinijlni muil  determination  of  hi->  co- 
trader.     The  true  explanation  is  to  Ihj  found  in  the  unl-iinini  inul 


lOi 


mh'uldtt'd  iniei'fcn  iii'c  'U'ltli    Ji'ix  ikihh  In/  tin'  A</r/ifii  .s- 


aiK 


11 


le 


either  struggles  with  less  pn^tit  or  g 


th  h 


!'i  >e: 


on 


tof 


iiii.-Micss    under  a 


cloud,  without   discoveriii:'  the   fact   in   time  to  avert  tbi;  conse- 


quences 


There  is  a  sort  of  wild   justice  in  having    snbscrihcrs   hurt  I 


)V 


104 


TIIK   COMMKICCIAL   AGENCIKS. 


It'  ' 


I 

•!■■ 
I  ft 


l:.    1 


tli(;ir  own  iiistrmnciif  ;  l)iit  it  is  ccrtiiiiily  iiit;qiiital)l(j  for  llio  men 
who  :inj  (;itli(;r  loo  I'ospcclful  to  enter  into  tin;  k-aguo,  or  who 
liiivc  h'ai'iUMl  to  (h)  l)U.sinc'.s.s  without  rct'orcnco  to  siicli  an  aid,  to 
ho,  as  they  really  are,  inoro  hopelessly  and  nneonseionsly  thwarted 
and  maligned  tlian  any  other  class  of  mcrehants.  AVhether  they 
seek  credit  or  not,  the  Agencies  vrt^^  tlicni  to  induce  suljseription 
or  ji;ralify  a  s].ite.  Whether  they  conduct  a  cash  trade  or  not,  the 
Aj'ciicies  claiin  the  ri^'ht  to  Kjh'ciilafc  in  ])ul)lic  ])rint  and  private 
record  about  their  alTairs  and  character,  and  to  circulate  these  spec- 
ulatiouH  on  the  «<;roniid.s  that  wnnv)  one  else's  curiosity  vuiij  he 
gratilied  or  their  IJook  List  swelled. 

The  Ai^encies  liave  conceived  the  idea  of  inakin<^  a  separate 
and  profitable  business  for  themselves  out  of  other  men's  )iam(;s 
and  reputations,  anil  it  is  a|)parently  inmiaterlal  to  them  whether 
or  not  a  third  ])erson  elfwuhl  ever  have  occasion  to  desire  informa- 
tion ou  the  subject.  The  "  world  is  their  oyster,"  and  non-sul)- 
Bcribers  must  take  their  chance  of  being  ac(;urately  or  inacc'rately 
rated  and  criticised  by  as-cvy  mendacious  scoundrel  who  will  ren- 
der, ^•ra.tuitously,  liis  unworthy  services.  Th(>y  have  the<;aj»ital  of 
a  jirlnliug  e.-tablishment ;  and  other  n\(!n's  names  must  supply  an 
oi>])ortunity  for  its  ])ro{itabI(!  usi;  while  ink  and  ])aper  and  ])riiit- 
ors  can  be  ha<I.  If  Aj^cncies  had  any  justification  in  ])laying  Avith 
the  names  of  persons  askiiii^  for  credit,  they  have  none  for  doini^ 
Ko  with  traders  who  set^k  no  credit.  If  they  had  any  ])retenceof 
justification  in  institutinii;  in<[iiiry  on  tlio  busis  of  a  real  a])])Iication 
for  confidence  and  trust,  they  hav(!  none;  for  onifa;Lfini^  in  and  ])ul)- 
lishini^  one  where  no  ])resent  jxirpose  (jf  trade  is  to  b(!  subserv(!d 
— where  none  cvci-  may  rise  to  bi;  sid)Served.  If  they  were  ivfdl- 
I'lUc  it  might  b(!  harndesslo  trust  them  witli  Aw.  ])rivileg(!  in  either 
event  ;  but,  beini:;  fallible,  why  sliould  the  non-su1jscribing  .S(l(),(H)0 
nuM'chants  of  the  United  States  and  Canada  be  compelled  to  nn- 
d"rgo  the  risks  attending  their  errors,  for  a  purely  hypothetical  fu- 
.I'e  interest  '. 
TJk!  wrung  and  impcrtiuenci!  <lo  not  end  hero.  The  non-sub- 
scriber who  is  teri'ilied  by  their  assum])tion  may  thiidc  if  he  ]>ay 
one  vear's  suljsci'intion  all  will  be  well.  Not  so  !  "  'Tis  the  first 
stc[)  that  counts,"'  but  mainly  because  retreat  out  of  tlie  meslies 
can  only  be  accoiniilished  at  a  risk  which  ha<l  bettei-  have;  be(!n  taken 
at  the  start — namely,  of  incurring  their  displeasure.      If  a  house  is 


m 


'J'HK   SYSTEM    KXPOSED. 


]or> 


satisfied  ■with  it.s  rutins;,  wliy  sliould  it  rf.'fiise,  not  iiicroly  U)  \K\y  iit 
tlio  siiiiic  ruto  as  tlio  lii-.-t  year's  .siiIiHcription,  hut  ilouhh!  tlic 
iiiuount  'i  Jf  it  hc!  not  .-atislie  I  with  ils  I'atiiiLr,  then  th(j  _i^i'eat(.'r 
reason  ox ists  wl IV  it  slioiild  i);iv  IVcelv  and  m'licmii.slv  auv  ad(H- 
lionai  tax  iin[)oseil  mi  th(;  succi'edin^-  siiliscTiptiuii-day.  Wh(!re  a 
man  of  assured  standiuf^  refuses  phunjily,  at  tin;  iir-t  a[)proa('li,  to 
liave  anytliiui^  to  do  witli  the  system,  ]ie  can  only  Ix;  rat(sd  h»w  or 
ignoi'od ;  and  tlu;  system  is  generally  i^lad  to  let  him  in  on  the 
eheaj)est  rates  of  suhseription,  if  he  deign  to  apply.  When;  a  ti'adiir 
voluntarily  applies,  or  is  easily  persuaded  to  a|tj)iy,  either  from  an 
lionest  o  '  fraudulent  motive,  he  isjnado  topay  a  I'idl  price  the  tii'st 
your,  and  a  roufftdnf/i/  hicrcaHUKj  o)u.  iftcrnidrdK.  One  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars  entrance-fee  in  the  laiger  cities  may  -often  does  — 
nm  lip  to  S'j*"^  ii'id  8i"i"*^  }'^'^'"',y  iifter  2  or  ;»  years'  association. 
The  Agencies -well  know  tliat  every  dollar  given  to  them  is  an  in- 
duceuK^ut  to  the  trader  to  keep  up  the  oonncction  fortius  pi-riod 
at  least ;  and  that,  l)etween  the  consciousness  of  having  thi'own 
awavso  nuuih  monev,  the  fear  of  heing  worse  rated  in  the  event  of 
a  discontinuance,  and  tin;  hope  of  making  ])ro}itout  of  the  agijucy 
misrepresentation,  many  of  those  who  enter  the  lists  will  struggle 
to  meet  the  exaction  for  a  few  years.  ]>y  and  \)\,  howevei", 
they  see  that  concessions  bring  no  i-elief  :  they  inu~t  refuse  to  ])ay 
at  all,  or  [)ay  some  time.  After  the  ex[)iration  of  the  period  men- 
tioned they  do  refuse,  and  drop  out  of  one  agency  only  to  find  an- 
other at  the  door.  The  method  taken  to  run  up  subscriptions  is 
adroit  and  luitural.  A  canvasser  says  to  the  merchant,  "We  rated 
"your  business  at  so  and  ^o  last  year,  and  you  paid  only  so  much. 
"Your  capital  is  laiger  this  yeai',  and  your  i)usiness  increased. 
"  ^'ou  should  bcMvilling  to  pay  apro])ortionateiucrea-e  of  subscrip- 
"  tion.''  Tlie  merchant  does  not  wish  to  admit  either  that  his 
capital  or  business  is  less  than  during  the  ]iast  year  ;  he  lio[)es  to 
have  it  I'cgarded  moi'e.  He  ddcs  not  conti-adict  the'  canvasser, 
thertjfore,  but  takes  the  hint  ami  ]iays  out  his  monev,  vear  aft(!i' 
year,  until  its  exceeding  amoii'il  startles  him  and  deterinin.'S  him 
lobi'eak  with  the  monster,  at  wliatever  cn-t. 

Some  l.iu.-iuess  men  and  iirms  are  often  indue  'il  tn  >nb,--cribe 
to  the  three  Agencies  inord(;r  to  ha\'e  their  otnn  ratings  and  reports 
in  each  institution  agrcr!  with  the  other;  and  wlier'"  tla;  credulous 
merchant,  unfannliar  with    .Xgency   intrigue,  finds   unifoi'inily   in 


II' 


J0(; 


TlIK    tHjMMKIUJIAr,    AflKNCIK.-'. 


\^l 


tlioir  hc|»;ir;il(;  CKtiiiiufcK  of  llic  s;iiii(!  Iridcr,  Ik;  utiribiitci  il,  iu 
/loiii'.si  2>i'ii'l.si(iii.  nitlicr  lli.iii  j>iirfli(is( d  (tmirarif.  'I'liis,  liow- 
over,  is  ho  costly  an  e.\i)(;i'iineiif,  lli.it,  coinp.ir.'itivcly  few  iiidiilm! 
ill  it. 

Any  siihscril)(!r,  ]»;iyiii^  .V'^i'ly  f''"'"  >i^l'"»"  1'»  i*^^)0()(»,  wlio 
slioiiM  voluiilcer  ii  hiiissccl  opinion  coiicrrnini^  ;i  fnidt-r  of  whom 
lit!  })i'('S!inics  to  know,  wiictlicr  ;i  rival  in  tratlo  or  ot,li(!rwis(!,  will 
iiiid  it  rciidily  iicceptcd  and  ptjrniaiii'ntly  r(M'<»rdcd  as  tin;  provailinj^ 
JKilief,  in  preference  to  the.  opinion  (if  a  sul)scrii)er  p.'iyin<(  fi  less 
sum,  or  who  docs  not  pay  t.lu!  Ai^iincy  at  all.  Herein  is  when; 
Kuhscrihers  with  donlttful  motives  Hiic(;(;c!d  in  im[>ressin^  on  tin; 
A^(MK'ies,  actively,  their  own  impressions,  real  or  prc^tende-d.  A 
iirm  is  found  by  its  livai  to  Ik;  nndersellini^  tli(;  market  or  itself, 
hiivini^  l)()M<fht  to  ^j^reafer  advantai^e,  at  moi-.',  pr(»])itioiii  limos, 
and  in  <^reater  (piantities.  The  I'ival  nee(l  only  say  to  the  A<.^(;!iey 
that  till!  shrewder  Iirm  is  nnhtadini^  its  stock  un<ler  market  rates, 
and  a  snsjiicion  of  smuj^j^liiiii',  or  an  intitnt  fo  abscond  or  go  (jiit 
of  business,  is  a  natural  eoiiciusioii.  So,  by  those  methods,  the  sub- 
scriber has  his  satisfaction  of  an  emiiily  or  a  rivalry,  the  Ai^encios 
are  ])aid  liandsoinely,  and  tht;  better  merchants  i^o  to  the  wall  iii 
the  loiii^  run. 

J>ut  hit  us  lid<(!  lh(!  (.-ase  of  a  merchant  heavily  intenssted  in  a 
debtor  on  the  brink  (jf  bankruptcy.  He  wants  to  save  whatever 
he  can  and  recluce  his  losses  by  drawini^  otluirs  into  the  catastroidio. 
lie  has  only  to  report  1<»  the  Aj^cMicies  his  failin;^  customer  favor- 
ably. The  inscjlvent  increases  his  stock  and  c^idart^es  liis  liabiIiti(!S. 
In  due  time  he  tumbles  into  15ankru[)tcy  ;  his  assets  show  a, 
diminution  ]iroportI()ned  to  the  amount  jialtf.  iimiufhiu',  to  llw 
J'l''  ikIIiJ  (/'((lilof  fi  iiiirttii'j.     There  is  nothin;^  strange  in  this  pro- 


ceed mir 


]• 


vcrv  II'  II'  credit  to  an    insolvent 


iists   liim   to   lessen 


his  liabilities  to  his  ohl  creditor  out  of  his  11  nn 


Hlork 


and  a  ni(!r- 


chaiit,  having  a  doubtful  debtor  on  hand,  would  stand  in  his  own 
light  if  he  failed  to  speak  well  of  him  to  all  inquirers,  iiinir  par- 
tictildi'hj  tin'  Ai/i 'I'-it'.s.  The  consecpience  is  that  insf»l\(!nt  meiTs 
names  an^  made  eflicicnt,  by  Agency  interferencf!,  to  s])read  and 
jisHure  greater  disaster  to  the  many,  for  the  benelit  of  tin-  one,  or 
the  few,  in  IIk;  secret. 

AVhile  on  this  subject  of  the  general   circulation  given  to  false 
information,  designed  by  others  for  individual    injury,  W(!  should 


S^dtiia  '-  i^-' 


THK    SVSTK.M    KXl'OSKI). 


107 


>nU:,   if,   f(, 

'lis,    liou- 

'W  illdllli^t; 

'0(»(»,    \vli„ 
of   wlioiij 

'U'isc,  will 
>r(;s.'iiliii<r 

'ill.!,'  a  loss 

is    AvIlCI'O 
•;,'    oil    tJKJ 

ii<l(;<|.     A 

<»!•  if  self, 

II -i    fiiiit's, 

v('t   rafx's, 

'I"    go    (Jilt 

,  tli(;  siih- 
A<((;iific.s 
<;  wall   111 


■^t('(I     ill     ;i 

\vliat.(;v(;r 
ii.str(>|»li(>. 
<■!•  fuvor- 
iahilitics. 
•sliow  .•), 
e  to  fl,.' 
flu's  pro- 

O     l(',SS(!M 

I  a  iiior- 

liis  own 

\:  iiicir.s 

•ad   ;iji(| 
one,  or 

fo  fjilt-o 
slioiiM 


not  overlook  tlu;  fact  that  tlu;  l;it(^  Act  of  I  In;  Xcw-Vork  Lcj^isia- 
turi;,  enacted  fo  ])iiniHli  tli(!  authors  or  circiilafors  of  false  rmiioi's 
intended  to  iiifliienct!  (he  "Street"  or  unsettle  confidenee,  inii^ht 
l)(>  turned  to  f^ood  acctoiint  on  the  Ai,f(!n('ies,  not  kh  Agencies,  hiit 
on  the  individual  ])ro])rietors,  on  fit  occasion.  If  the  law  is  wctrth 
anything  it  should  he  suflicient  to  hU])|)ort  a  |)rosoeuti<»n  in  any  one 
of  the  thousand  flagrant  instances  affordcfl  hy  Agency  (;rror ;  and 
if  it  should  not  be  Hiiflicierit  as  it  stands,  thc!  insiifliciency  ou;^ht 
to  lie  (hjiiionstrated,  so  that  fh(!  n(;xt  Lei(i,slature  inay  apidy  a  more 
stringent  and  eflicient  r(!iii(!<ly  hy  additional  legi.-lation.  Tlit! 
jn'osocution  of  a  singhi  individual  "rumor-starter"  would  Ix;  a 
liunfing  '»f  the  wren  when  the  atinosjdiere  is  alive  with  IIk; 
higger  and  baser  birds  of  prey  fi'oiii  Agency  eyries.  W(!  hcsar  of 
two  "stock"  rumors,  n.'cenfly  s(;nt  out  with  lirm  reports,  which 
ought  to  be  instantly  veutilatcMl  in  tin;  (.'riiiiinal  (Jourts,  and,  W(; 
trust,  will  be. 

The  Agency  sy.-tein  having  Ii(M;n  shown  ineflictient  in  its  whoh; 
scope  and  purpose,  as  well  as  in  its  ])ractical  working,  the  ([iicstion 
recurs,  is  there  no  way  of  increasing  th(}  certainties  of  merchants 
and  traders  in  (ordinary  hu.-in(,'ss  transactions,  of  a  sud<len,  and 
without  ]>utting  these  elass(;s  to  the;  safest  of  all  methods  of  in- 
(juiry--sj)ecial  individual  (■xamination  \ 

It  oceiu's  to  the  writ(,'r  that  a  scIiciik!  of  ( 'omiiK-rcial  Assur- 
ance or  (iuarantee  of  Husiness  liisks  ini;rlit  Ik;  siifciv  trie(l  in  tin; 
great  citi(;s.  It  wouhl  rcpiire,  wlien  litly  deveh»ped,  large  capit;il, 
but,  we  think,  not  more  at  th(!  start  than  could  r(!M<lily  br;  cfot  by 
calling  out  the  lat(;nt  resources  of  each  city,  and  leaving  vwxy 
(^"onipany  wliich  might  be  formed  a  lo'-al  field  to  operate  in,  in- 
dependently.     J>y  limiting  each   Company's  operations   to   a    coii- 


cnient  di.-l,rict  of  territorv.  it 


d  1 


uoiilU  he  enaliled  to   Hccun 


f. 


r  it- 


own  use  (ixclusively,  and  'i'\Y  the  dii'ection  (»f  its  (»wn  inve^tm(;ut 
^y/t///,  tlu!  hest  attainahle  e>tiiiiat(;s  of  credit  ainl  capital  of  I»u>i- 
ness  iiKjn,  and  would  lia\(!  lie-  very  highest  inducement,  self- 
interest,  to  judge   accui-alely  ;iiid    invest    caiitifiUhly.     \    tai'iff    of 


char<res 


for  contracts  of  (iuarantee  miirht 


he  a(|o 


pt. 


nnd 


e.iirahH! 


I'isks  would  he  I'efused  ;  the  statemenis  of  seekers  for  cre(Iit  coiild 
be  reduced  to  writing  and  sworn  to;  if  false,  the  Company  would 
hav(!  cumulative  civil  or  ci'iminal  remedies  at  its  di.^po.ial ;  tin; 
wholesaler  whose  risks  were  accepted  would  Kecure  a  guarantee  of 


lOS 


TIIK   COMMERCIAL   AGEXCIES. 


I 


m 


proiiipl,  payment  l)y  tho  Conqxiiiy,  for  n  rca^oiiiiblo  slidint;  pcr- 
coiitiiijfo,  and,  while  the  honest  trader  couJdIliid  an  increased  facility 
for  legitimate  purchases,  sellers  might  rely  on  the  giiaranteo  Com- 
pany having  the  liighest  attainable  certainty  beft)re  it  became 
snrety.  (iiven  a  certain  capital  and  good  management,  it  seems 
highly  probable  that  an  Institution  of  tho  Icind  mentioned  in  each 
city  would,  from  com})aratively  small  beginnings,  soon  snpj)ly  a 
ti'uo  gauge  to  credit,  l)y  hccoDvlmj  a lyart  of  the  cnd'tt  irroceHt^^  and 
proiitablc  or  ruinous  to  itself,  according  to  its  own  accuracy  of 
estimate. 

t^uch  a  scheme  possesses,  in  reality,  several  features  which  the 
Agencies  claim,  but  do  not  possess.  It  assists  in  giving  security  to 
business  dealings.  It  eliminates  recklessness  of  s-tatement ;  for  a 
good  risk  brings  profit,  and  a  bad  one  loss,  on  the  (luarantor, — tho 
seller  escaping  in  either  event.  The  wforinatton  on.  irhlch  r/'ul's 
«/•('  tal'Oi  7.S'  eoUectcd  hy  the  rlsh-tahcr,  and  jy^'c^'^rvad  hj  him,  from, 
oxihlde  jxii'tks  as  his  permanent  cajrital.  "Whether  accurate  or 
iiuiccurate,  it  is  harmless  to  the  man  who  docs  not  seek  credit ;  and 
it  is  absolutely  sacred  in  the  instance  of  the  man  who  is  asking 
credit.  Every  honest  and  honorable  end  of  business  in  connner- 
cial  dealing  is  attained,  and  private  character  is  even  less  discussed 
than  it  is  now  by  the  Agencies  every  discount  day  in  our  private 
Banks. 

The  connnon  experience  of  l)usiness  www  leads  them  to  expect 
in  the  safest  credit  trade  a  yearly  loss  of  from  live  to  ten  per  cent 
on  their  active  capital.  If  they  could  be  assured  against  this  loss, 
or  the  possibility  of  a  greater,  Trading  would  become  a  Science 
and  Panics  impossible! 

Tlu!  ])rol)lem  to  be  solved  is,  therefore:  (Jould  ('a})ital  see,  in  the 
exjjeriment  suggested,  enough  of  profit  to  protect  itself? 

The  same  thing  is  done  now,  in  a  small  way,  by  some  of  the 
better  class  of  Commercial  Travellers.  Where  a  bad  debt  is  made 
nnder  their  recommendation,  the  loss  is  deducted  from  their-  salaries 
and  Commissions  on  good  ones.  So  long  as  we  find  individuals 
ready  to  assume  this  responsibility,  and  able  to  make  money  l)y  do- 
ing so,  why  should  we  not  believe  the  like  might  bo  done  by 
Guarantee  Companies,  in  the  leading  Cities  of  the  States  and  Cana- 
da? There  is  even  a  better  illustration  at  hand.  The  Cotton  and 
Tobacco  firm  of  Fatman  vfc  Co.,  Broad  street,  New-York,  with 


ykff 


THE   SYSTEM    EXPOHED. 


109 


f^Iifliiin^  2>or- 

asod  facility 

I'antee  C'oni- 

Jt   bocanio 

'^   !*■'  seems 

>ne(l  ill  each 

u/'oc('fi,s,  and 
acciii-acy  of 

^vliich  the 

sociirifj  to 

ont;  for  a 

I'ltor,— tJio 

h  ha  from 
ecu rate  or 
■I'cclit ;  and 

is  asking 
»  coinnier- 
■  discussed 
•i"  private 

to  expect 

per  cent 

this  Joss, 

I  Science 

ce,  in  file 

0  of  ihc 
is  made 
['  salaries 
h'viduals 
V  I'J'  do- 
Ion  0   l)y 
d  Caiiil- 
on  and 
''',  with 


lirancliL'S   in  various  cities  of  lliis  country  and  Euro[>r,  liaiidlc  a 
business  of  i>ver  $:iO,(»Oi», ()<)<>  a  year  on   (Tiiai'antecs  from   their 
Au'enls  and  (Correspondents.     They  make  immense  sums  yearly, 
and  do  not  lone  a   dollar.     The   Kiii;'iish   houses  (»f  John    Henry 
Schroder  it  Co.,  worth  £ll>,U(M».(iO(»,  and  Freelin<rife  Goshen,  worth 
•£3,0f»0,000,  and  the  Bremen  House  of  I).  II.  AVat,:;en  ct  Co.,  worth 
815,0(10,000,  guarantee  orders.     Fatman  A;   C(n  buy  for  cash,  and 
their  Excliange  is  the  first  on  the  Xew-York  market,  being  readily 
and  eagerly  taken  by  any  of  om*  Baidcs.     If  Schroder  *.t  Co.  can 
guarantee  orders  enabling  Fatman  tt  Co.  to  })ursue  an  absolutely 
safe  business  on  u  time  margin  of  thirty  days,  why  could  not  dua- 
rantee  Companies,  selecting  men  of  the  best  knowledge  :iiid  talent 
for  each  trade  to  assist  in  their  management,  do  the  same  ^     The 
salaries  paid  credit  men  in  large  C/onunercial  Uouses  are  enormous 
in  the  aggregate.     These  wouhl  lie  largely  saved  to  the  ^lercantile 
community.      The    Guarantee    Companies   would    afford   greater 
facilities  to  their  emphyees  for  the  e.\hil)ition  of  tlu;  best  judgment, 
and  promotion  for  the  best   iidelity.     In  addition,  the   kljut  mil- 
lion vearly  drain  of  the  A^'encies  would  be  done  awav  with,  and 
merchants  would  find  themselves  i^uaranteed  on  everv  credit  at  an 
expense  of  only  a  small  proportion  of  their  pre-ent  Profit  and  Loss 
Accounts.     The  effect  on  trade  ctmld  not  be  otherwise  than  favor- 
able.    The  trader  who  could  not  safely  be  guaranteed  would   bo 
obliged  to  either  conline  himself  to  small  purchases  for  cash,  if  no 
seller  could  l)e  found  speculative  enough  to  take  a  credit  risk,  or  go 
out  of  business.     This  woidd   ten<l  to  weed  ti'ade  of  men  who, 
from  lack  of  financial  responsibility,  should  not  be  in  business,  and 
would   discourage    intended   fraud   from   a  useless   exertion.     It 
would,  we  think,  restore  connnercc  to  a  healthy  condition.     The 
credit-seeker,  if  solvent,  could  have  no  motive  in  concealing  his 
ti'iw  fit  at  (IS  from  the  (^omjiany,  knowing  from  its  character  that 
an  honest  disclosure  by  him  could   only  inure  to  ///.v  benefit,  and 
would  not  be  perverted  and  circulated  to  his  own  detriment,  as  is 
now  done  by  the   Agencies,  to  i)romote  the  interests  of  a  rival 
trader. 

At  present  every  merchant  practically  insures  himself.  The 
Agencies  induce  more  losses  than  proiits  and  eschew  res^xmsihility. 
They  keep  the  word  of  promise  to  the  car  and  break  it  to  the 
hope.     Yuu  pay  for  their  pretended  information.      AVhen  it  tiu'ns 


II' 


no 


THE   COMMERCIAL   AGENCIES. 


ill 


n  'i 


out  erroiiooiis,  tliey  slunv  you  that,  Ly  tlie  very  tcnna  of  your  sub- 
s;'ri[)tif»n-('()ntra(;t  witli  tlioni,  tlio  nten  whoui  tlioy  euiploy  or  iu- 
(juirn  h'oui  arc  your  onni  AijenfK,  .'lud  tliat  Agencies  are  not  rc- 
simnsiblu  for  tlieir  accuracv  or  inaccuracy  !  Now,  if  the  mercantile 
classes  really  insure  themselves  on  all  credits,  so  far  as  the  Af^cncies 
arc  concerned,  atid  yet  supjiort  the  latter  at  great  cost  to  them- 
selves, it  seems  reasuiiahle  to  expect  that  a  scheme  which  "would 
remove  the  hhxVu'hiii  of  risk,  and  reduce  the  useless  expenditure 
at  the  same  time,  Avould  l»o  hailed  as  a  pid)lie  benefit.  AVe  nudco 
these  suggestions  to  anticipate  the  objection  that,  having  demon- 
strated the  inutility  of  the  Agencies,  wc  liave  no  remedy  to  sub- 
stitute which  -would  partially  or  Avholly  relieve  the  trader  from 
special  in(piiry  in  regard  to  customers  at  a  distance.  The  idea  is 
neither  j'ovel  nor  original  with  us.  AVo  find  it  entertained  by 
5^\er  ^"  mercantile  firms,  and  the  same  principle  is  practical- 
ly ill.,  '('.  i«y  a  firm  in  Cleveland,  in  a  limited  trade  sphere,  and 
Avith  perfect  success.  These  gentlemen  guarantee,  for  a  small  per 
cent,  ill'  a]ipro-  ed  credits  in  a  particular  line,  and  liave  nuule 
money  by  u  '.:ig  .-<■.  ^Vliy  could  not  a  series  of  compaiues  do  like- 
■wiso  in  reference  To  all  Trades?  Another  example  is  before  us. 
In  Xew-York  an  association  has  just  been  formed,  by  some  of  the 
most  ex])ericnced  capitalists,  to  guarantee  contracts  of  Insurance, 
iiXc.^  and  there  is  reason  to  hope  that  at  an  early  day  the  ])rinciplo 
Avill  be  extended  to  many  other  classes  of  contracts  by  the  same 
company.  The  plan  is  sketched  to  reflect  the  opinion  of  experi- 
enced business  men  rather  than  our  own ;  and  while  we  express  the 
possible  arguments  in  favor  of  such  a  project,  we  do  not  commit 
ourselves  to  it,  for  our  experience  of  the  Commercial  Agency  Sys- 
tem has  taught  us  the  innumerable  opportunities  of  misapplication 
Avhich  even  the  best-devised  arrangement  might  entail. 

This  discussion  has  brought  us  face  to  face  with  a  circumstance 
too  oft(^n  overlooked  bv  merchants.  IIow  many  business  men 
have  fully  considered  the  danger  ai'ising  from  the  present  method 
of  detailing  to  strangers  and  imderlings  of  the  several  agencies,  in 
our  large  cities,  the  amount  of  negotiable  securities  on  hand  or  the 
quantity  and  kind  of  merchandise,  of  great  A-alue  and  small  bulk, 
in  their  stock  ?  It  is  a  well -authenticated  fact  that  many  burglar- 
ies have  occurred  innnediately  after  the  delivery  of  these  detailed 
statements  to  agency  reporters  !    A  merchant  wishing  to  confinn 


:''i{^^ 


h't 


THE   SYSTEJr    KXPOSED. 


Ill 


liis  iisjertioiis  of  avnilahlc  Jisj^cts,  or  rt'nue.ste(l  to  do  so,  gives  tlie 
naiiiL's  of  Stoclcs  or  the  character  of  lioiidri  hold  by  him,  and,  to 
remove  all  doubt,  brings  them  out  of  liis  safe  and  shows  them  to 
the  inquirer.  Or  he  takes  the  searcher  for  knowledge  over  his  pre- 
mises aiul  points  out  to  him  the  most  valuable  kinds  of  stuck,  in 
bulk,  or  broken  for  custom.  The  dullest  rascal  could  not  fail  to 
learn  aids  to  crime,  for  himself  or  confederates,  in  these  thoughtless 
disclosures.  And  eertaiidj,  when  we  learu  that  the  police  author- 
ities of  several  largo  cities  are  discovered  to  have  long  been  in 
league  with  the  choice  spirits  of  the  various  de])artments  of  Statu- 
tory Crime,  wos-hall  not  bo  astonished  to  learn  that  more  than  one 
]>aidc.  Insurance,  and  private  robbery  has  been  perpetrated  to  get 
holdof  ])ortable  assets,  stocks,  bonds,  aiul  moneys,  which  the  owner 
had  carefully  kept  within  his  solo  personal  knowledge  until  the 
agency  S2)y  had  also  secured  the  important  details  of  time,  amount, 
character,  and  place.  How  few  clerks  are  fully  ap})rised,  from  day 
today,  of  the  state  of  their  employer's  capital,  except  in  u  small  bu- 
siness too  limited  to  afford  chance  of  reserve  !  Largo  concerns 
may  have  one  or  more  confidential  men,  outside  of  the  partners, 
who  are  fully  informed  ;  but  the  general  run  of  employees  is  kept 
in  the  dark,  as  a  rule  of  discipline  if  not  wholly  as  a  matter  of  pre- 
caution. Aiul  yet  the  Business  Classes  have  heretofore  foolishly 
opened  their  business  secrets  to  every  poorly-paid  Tom,  Dick,  and 
Harry  who  presented  a  Mercantile  or  Commercial  Agency  card  and 
demanded  to  share  in  the  conlidences  withheld  from  well-known 
and,  in  other  respects,  fully  trusted  servants.  A  Guarantee  Com- 
pany or  Companies  couhl  ent;iil  no  such  danger  as  this  on  their 
patrons  without  sulTering  themselves.  The  agencies  do  not  guard 
against  it;  and  if  they  could,  have  no  interest  in  lessening  the 
risk  by  em})loying  only  the  best-known  citizens,  and  at  compensa- 
tive salaries.  Our  advice  to  Merchants  is  :  refuse  details  of  stock 
or  assets  to  inquirers  until  fully  satisfied  that  the  inquirer  is  iu)t 
making  an  inventory  which  might  reach  and  assist  the  princijial 
cracksmen  of  the  neighborhood. 


fl. 


11' 


illJ 


TUK   CU.MMEHCIAL    AdK.VClI-:;?. 


« 

^1'           i 

1      ^i 

CHAPTER  XVIT. 

TlIELK(JAIi  DIFFICULTIES  OF  THE  A(iENCIES— HOW  THEY  STUIKE 
TIIEIll  COLORS  Oil  ESCAPE  FROM  THE  FIELD— STRAWS  FROM 
THE  BAR. 


^1 


An  institution  SO  offensive  and  afrgressivens  tlic  ap;('n('y  system 
very  naturally  ran  athwart  the  reputations  of  honest  business  men 
at  a  very  early  period  in  its  career.  Started  in  1842,  as  wo  liavc 
stated,  Church,  its  first  traveller,  contrived  to  libel  (amongst 
others)  Taylor,  Halo  tic  Murdoch',  of  Columbus,  Miss.,  and  when 
the  libel  was  discovered  these  gentlemen  sued  the  lil)eller  for 
damages  iu  the  Xew-York  Common  Pleas.  Church  defended  on 
the  ground  that  he  was  em])loyed  by  certain  Xcw-York  mer- 
cliants  to  '*  report "  traders  for  them  as  their  agent;  that  he  re- 
ported ])laintitl"s  to  Wolfe  and  (lillespie,  two  of  these  merchants, 
in  a  private  and  confidential  letter;  that  he  had  never  seen  the 
plaintitfs,  bore  them  no  malice,  and  merely  repeated  what  he  liad 
heard  in  rejily  to  intpiiry ;  and  that  the  printing  of  his  report  was 
done  without  his  personal  supervision,  and  solely  by  his  employers. 
Jle  further  claimed  the  ct)nnuunication  was  confidential.  For  the 
plaintiff  it  was  contended  that  Church  published  the  lil)el  mali- 
ciously ;  that  it  was  written  to  be  published,  if  not  "printed," 
and  that  it  was  not,  and  was  not  contained  in,  a  privileged  com- 
munication. The  case  finally  went  to  the  Court  of  Ai)peals(-1- 
Selden's  Iteports,  y.  452),  which  decided  by  a  mianinious  bench 
that  the  report  was  not  privileged,  but  sent  the  case  back  for  a 
new  trial  on  an  exception  to  a  ruling  on  the  admissibility  of  evi- 
dence in  the  Court  below. 

The  decision  in  Taylor  ct  at.  vft.  Church  embodies  all  the 
law  learning  on  the  subject  of  privileged  comnnmieations  iTp  to 
that  time,  and  contains  the  test  which  renders  all  more  recent 
agency  pid)licatious,  if  untrue  (and,  as  some  contend,  even  if  true), 
nnprivileged  and  amenable  to  legal  restraint  and  both  compensa- 


iHHM 


THE  SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


113 


tory  and  exemplary  dainatjes.  The  printing  for  general  circula- 
tion, and  in  a  manner  ^vhicll  might  reach  parties  having,  or  in- 
tending to  have,  no  business  relations  with  the  trader  reported,  was 
held  to  be  against  public  policy,  and  to  subject  the  rejiorter  to 
such  legal  penalties  as  any  jury  might  reasonaI»iy  sec  tit  to  intlict. 
Since  this  decision,  several  cases  have  come  before  the  Courts  i»i. 
other  States ;  but  in  all  of  these  the  dedication,  by  printing  ami 
circulating  the  reports,  to  general  use,  of  these  estimates  of  traders' 
characters,  qualitications,  and  standing,  has  been  uniforndy  held 
to  take  them  out  of  the  class  of  privileged  communications,  and  to 
leave  the  writers,  compilers,  and  utterers  subject  to  civil  and 
2'Mrtsi-criminal  reniedies  on  behalf  of  the  persons  affected  by  them. 

The  reason  of  this  rule  of  law  is  very  plain.  While  a  mer- 
chant should  be  allowed  to  employ  a  clerk  or  agent  to  learn  for 
his  own  use  the  standing  of  a  dca\cv  j)roj)os in fj  fo  have  relafionn 
with  him,  it  would  be  unreasonable  and  impolitic  to  allow  the 
same  thing  to  bo  done  on  the  mere  hypothesis  that  ot/ier  mer- 
chants at  some  future  time  might  have  like  reason  to  desire  in- 
formation. Such  a  purely  speculative  interest  in  a  future  possi- 
bility coxdd  not  be  safely  conceded  to  give  a  present  immunity  to 
such  communications.  The  trader  reported  might  never  ask  for 
credit.  No  one,  in  that  event,  could  have  any  substantial  reason 
for  inquiry,  still  less  could  any  one  justify  a  purely  anticipative 
and  precautionary  inrpiiry  designed  for  general  circulation. 
Where  the  necessity  for  privileged  communication  ceases,  the  per- 
mission ceases  also.  But  even  if  one  or  a  dozen  merchants  real- 
ly desire  information  about  a  person  proposing  to  enter  into  busi- 
ness relations  with  them,  this  fact  gives  no  right  to  them,  or  any 
one  in  their  behalf,  to  place  the  information  in  such  a  manner 
that  it  might  reach  a  non-interested  person.  In  other  Avorils,  the 
interest  must  be  a  present  and  existing  one  to  justify  any  com- 
munication designed  to  limit  or  curtail  the  chances  of  credit;  and 
when  this  interest  is  satisfied,  the  qualified  privilege  lapses  again, 
only  to  be  revived  by  the  occurrence  of  a  new  justiuCation  for  it. 

Judged  by  this  standard,  the  whole  Agency  System,  as  now 
conducted  by  anticipatory  inquiry  and  general  publication,  is 
practically  at  the  mercy  of  the  Courts  and  the  public.  It  is  pro- 
tected in  no  manner  by  the  subscription  system— a  device  intended 
to  create  an  agency  character  for  it — for  tliQ  subscriber  has  n(» 


f 


II' 


lU 


THE   COMMKUCIAL   AGKNCIES. 


k 


pi 
It 


prcsouf  interest,  in  Jiiiy  name  in  the  Itoidv  ;  his  ever  liaviiii;  .1  fntnro 
one  is  jtiirely  ])r(>bleiiiuti(;al ;  and  it  is  eertain  lie  can  never  have 
any  in  ei^^ht  or  niiie  hundred  thousand  whose  capital  is  guessed  at 
and  credit  standing  rated. 

AVhen  the  Court  of  Appeals  determined  tliat  thirty-six  sub- 
scribers did  not  justify  the  printing  of  seventy-five  reports  in  1S4G, 
it  is  very  ])lain  that  thirty  thousand  could  not  authorize  the  use  of 
several  hundred  thousand  merchants'  and  traders'  names,  with 
"  estimates"  and  '"  ratings"  picked  up  and  attached  by  the  agen- 
cies, for  sale  and  circulation  to  whoever  might  choose  to  pur- 
chase. It  is  (piite  probable,  too,  that  the  contract  of  siibs('ri])ti()n 
itself  is  a  mere  nudinio  2)actuiii^  and  will  be  so  held  when  tlio 
question  shall  have  been  squarely  brought  up.  Fortunately  for 
the  agencies,  their  jxnvers  of  coercion  have  been  so  great  in  other 
respects  that  Ihey  have  had  no  reason  to  sue  for  subsci'iptions. 
Thev  make  no  bad  debts.  l>ut  they  cannot  have  this  luck 
always.  Some  one  will  break  with  them  ;  and  we  shall  then  see 
whether  or  not  they  will  have  the  coin-ago  to  go  into  Court  for 
redress.  Our  own  opinion  is  quite  decided  that  contracts  con- 
templating a  general  system  of  commercial  inquiry  and  the  pidj- 
lication  of  its  results,  without  the  consent  of  the  individuals  re- 
ported, and  wanting  the  element  of  a  subsisting/  interest  in  the  re- 
ported parties,  as  traders  applying  for  credit,  are  void  on  the 
ground  of  public  policy,  and  will  be  so  declared.  Whoever  shall 
start  the  issue  will  prove  a  public  benefactor.  As  wo  have  shown 
in  other  i)laces,  "  the  System''  lias  a  holy  liorror  of  Courts  of  Law 
and  Equity. 

Its  policy  has  therefore  been,  from  the  beginning,  to  keep 
out  of  Courts;  to  retain  ownership  in  the  Ileferencc  liooks  sent 
out  and  recall  them,  so  that  they  could  not  furnish  proof  to  injur- 
ed parties  ;  and  to  supplement  the  dangerously-published  books  with 
a  privately  communicated  plan  of  Secret  lieports,  where  libel- 
lous matter  may  be  gathered  and  doled  out  with  greater  impunity. 
In  pursuance  of  this  policy  their  clerks  arc  instructed  to  read  injuri- 
ous details  to  ''  Principals  only,"  or  their  confidential  managers, 
meaning  heads  of  trading  houses  and  subscribers.  Thei'"  contracts 
are  drawn  so  as  to  make  their  clerks  and  informants  servants  of 
these  '•  Principals,"  and  they  expressly  require  that  the  said  Prin- 
cipals should  not  have  any  remedy  against  them  for  insufficient,  de- 


?g^S8g 


THE   SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


116 


fec'tive,  or  inistakeu  iiifonnatloii.  The  '•  Xew  AgrocnuMit  "  of 
Dun,  Harlow  6c  Co.  i.s  a  fruitful  saiii|)U)  of  thid  over-a('tLv(!  cau- 
tion and  (iLvsiro  for  irresponsibility  ;  and  the  conduct  of  ail  the 
a<jjencieri  in  Kettlin<;,  where  conipronuse  is  jtossihle,  rather  than  liti- 
gatiui^  suits  for  damages,  is  a  further  i>roof  of  their  judicious  sus- 
ceptibility to  legal  terrors. 

For  the  purjioso  of  securing  the  fullest  information  jii  relation 
to  the  recent  or  existing  suits  against  the  agencies  in  the  Courts 
of  the  United  States  and  Canada,  Ave  lately  sent  letters  to  the  known 
plaintiifs  or  their  attorneys.  We  have  several  responses  in  our 
j)()Ssession,  but  we  can  oidy  refer  to  u  few  of  them.  The  suit  ot* 
.fohn  A.  Converse,  of  the  Canada  Cordage  Factoiy  and  Plaster 
Mills,  Montreal,  recently  instituted,  has  not  yet  come  to  trial, 
and  ^Fr.  (V)n  verse  does  not  know  how  soon  it  may,  but  he  is  con- 
iiileut  f  a  verdict.  Itis  claim  is  for  damages  arising  from  the 
^•urcliasc'  of  mercantile  paper  of  a  Xew-Orleans  merchant  on  the 
assurance  of  the  agency,  aftc/'  fij)fri'al  inquii'tj,  that  it  was  '•  per- 
"  fectly  good.''  He  bought  the  paper,  and  placed  it  in  the  Collec- 
tion Department  of  tlio  same  agency  within  a  few  days.  Short- 
ly afterwards  the  Collection  Department  informed  him  that  it  was 
worthless,  and  had  been  so  at  a  time  antecedent  to  the  intpiiry 
about  the  maker  and  the  assurance  of  the  agency  that  he  was  sol- 
vent and  in  good  credit  I  So  palpable  an  instance  of  agency  effort 
is  not  likely  to  reach  trial,  and  wo  should  not  be  surprised  to  learn 
that,  as  it  produced  the  immediate  occasion  for  the  "  Xew  Agroe- 
"  ment,"  it  had  been  settled  by  the  agency  paying  a  round  sum  in 
damages  and  compromise  to  Mr.  Converse. 

In  re3[)onso  to  a  letter  of  ours  of  the  2Sth  of  Jmie,  187.">,  Hon. 
Francis  Kernan,  of  Utica,  writes  that  the  action  for  libel  commenced 
by  his  firm  against  Dun,  Barlow  6c  Co.  ''  had  been  satisfactorily 
'■  adjusted  -without  trial,"  and  that  there  was  "  hence  nothing  in  the 
"  case  to  interest  the  public.''  Mr.  Kernan  concedes  that  the 
agency  had  made  a  "  mistake''  and  circulated  "an  erroneous  re- 
'•  port  ;"  hence  wo  are  at  a  loss  to  imagine  how  ho  comes  to  the 
conclusion  that  a  "satisfactory  settlement  "  leaves  nothing  to  in- 
terest the  public.  Is  it  of  no  interest  to  the  public  to  know 
that  the  agency  had  nuido  a  "mistake''^  Is  it  of  none  that 
t!ie  agency  had  circulated  wrong  information  '.  Is  it  a  matter  of 
indifference  that  the  agency  had  been  compelled  to  c.it  its  words 


m 


li- 


ne 


TIIK  COMMEUCIAL   AGENCIES. 


':;1 


and  pay  $10,000  lu  liin  clients  ^V'liy,  what  would  tlio  loarimil 
Senator  have  tlio  jxihlic  iiitorestcid  in,  it"  not  thu  utandiii;,' 
danji^er  to  biisinest*  cliaructor  in  af^iMicy  "  niistakus,"  in  tlujir  op- 
p(»rtnnitit'.s  of  circulating  "erroneous  rq)orts,"  and  in  llieir  e.i- 
•^erness  to  settle  privately  sooner  than  <^it  before  a  jury  of  their 
countrymen'^  For  our  own  part,  we  know  of  few  thin«^s  of  more 
actual  interest  to  the  business  public  than  just  such  facts.  They 
are  certainly  inoro  important  than  tlio  pre,  uiit  intimate  relations 
of  Mr.  Kernan's  law  partners  with  certain  of  the  agencies  in 
this  city  since  the  "satisfactory  suttlcment"  aforesaid. 

From  Missouri,  where  a  Mr.  Kinealey  acted  as  attorney  in  an 
agency  case  some  time  ago,  we  have  no  direct  information  of 
the  present  condition  of  tho  controversy,  but  the  silence  is  in- 
dicative of  a  settlement  after  tho  Utica  fashion,  l-'n^m  a  State 
Senator  and  late  member  of  the  (.^institutional  Convention  we 
loam  that  an  active  antagonism  to  tho  agency  institution  exists 
in  that  State,  and  we  conclude  from  his  letter  that,  however 
the  agencies  may  '*hush  np  "  the  injured  by  free  payments, 
legislative  action  will  be  soon  taken  to  render  them  responsible 
in  a  wider  sense  or  keep  thorn  out  of  that  Conunonwealth. 

An  instructive  instance  of  Agency  methods,  with  Attorneys 
n'virer  home,  occurs  to  ns,  and  may  be  meutioncul.  A  gentleman 
on  Staten  Island,  some  time  ago,  ro(piested  a  well-known  criminal 
lawyer  and  o.\-Jndge  to  sue  an  Agency  in  Xew-York.  The  legal 
gentleman  was  considerate  enough  to  inform  tho  ])rospoctivo  de- 
fendant, who  forthwitli  tocjk  measures  to  <jet  rid  of  the  evidence 
agairst  it  to  bo  fonnd  on  its  Ilecords.  Xo  suit  was  commenced, 
and  tho  legal  gentlenum  is  now  the  retained  counsel  of  the  pro- 
spective defendant,  wo  are  apprised,  in  any  litigation  which  may 
be  evoked  by  this  publication  ! 

A  chapter  on  the  legal  relations  of  the  Agencies  wonld  be  in- 
complete withont  a  reference  to  the  lato  cpiarrel,  by  Chancery  Suit, 
for  $50,000  and  Injunction,  between  themselves.  Uun,  IJarlow 
&  Co.  claimed  that  l>radstreet  &  Son  had  "  jiirated  "  some  of  their 
matter  in  Canada.  Bradstreet  denied  the  charge,  and  countered  by 
alleging  tho  like  of  Dun  in  Pennsylvania  and  other  States.  On 
the  trial  it  appeared  that  Dun,  Barlow  &  Co.  had  invented  a  lot  of 
towns  and  villages  nnknown  to  any  Geography  or  Census,  rated 
their  imaginary  merchants,  and  quietly  waited  for  their  competitor 


m^^^^n^- 


•aasBSBWiJjiJ.i.JiuiiiL 


TIIK   SYSTEM    KXI'OSED. 


117 


j;iriicMl 


•atcfl 


fn  apitroju-iiito  llio  (list'ovcrv.  Tlii-y  even  swore  the  lattor  (liil  so; 
ami  till!  controversy  is  still  siiKMildi'riii:;  in  Court,  iit'itlK'r  \h>U\>^ 
anxious  to  fan  it  into  puldlcitj. 

Thu  trick  was  conceived  in  tlio  best  manner,  and  showed  a 
mutual  a[»i)reciation  (d'  mutual  weakne>s. 

When  the  dead  mav'  ])r  ke|)t  alivt!  to  swell  a  llefei'cnco  I>ook, 
and  City  Directories  laid  under  contrii)Utioii  without  compensii- 
tion,  why,  indeed,  should  not  a  few  villaires  and  lowns  i)e  invented  i 
The  device  was  also  the  least  harmful  of  any  practi.-ed.  ^fer- 
chants  M'ho  never  existed  could  not  well  lie  misre|tresente<l. 
Traders  who  liad  never  heen  horn  or  christened,  could  not  easily 
lie  injured  in  credit  (»r  standing.  And  the  Agency  system,  for  the 
lirst  time  in  its  cari'cr,  was  8nre  to  ho  safe  and  certain  to  ho  honest. 

Of  the  recently  commenced,  or  threatened,  litii^ations  against 
the  institution  it  is  not  timely  yet  to  write  at  any  length.  The 
ternu"  awakened  is  indicative  of  the  depths  to  whicli  they  must 
siidc  into  Agency  methods  on  the  trials.  One  is  f(U'  damages  for 
cliarging  a  man  with  homicide  cominitteil  in  ,'<i'!f-(h'fence  hi/  an- 
o'/k'/'/  a  second  is  for  chari'ini'  hiicaniv!  A  third  for  uccusaticns 
involving  a  female's  chastity  !  A  foin'th  is  ])y  a  i)artuershii)  for 
charfjini;  forgerv  on  one  of  its  memliers!  A  iiftli — but  these  suf- 
fice  to  show  (hat  the  Agencies  are  about  to  meet  other  (piestions 
than  those  simply  relating  to  business  solvency,  and  must  defend 
their  pretension  to  discuss  and  assail  private  character,  under  the 
guiso  of  giving  opinions  concerning  linancial  responsibility. 

Tho  eagerness  of  the  Agencies',  to  prevent  legal  reprisals  was 
well  illustrated  to  tho  writer,  in  an  attem])t  to  dissuade  him  from 
this  publication,  Ly  a  ])roposition  to  jnirchase  his  silence.  The 
suggestion  Avas  met  with  contemjit.  AVheii  the  resource  failed, 
their  next  dodge  was  a  pulJislied  "  Oard,"  pro])osing  to  every  one, 
loifh  u'hoiii'  the  Wf'tk'?'  had  coiiiMiinlrutcAl,  to  correct  mistakes  on 
application,  lledress  for  tho  past,  however,  was  not  ]»romised. 
Xotliing  was  said  about  showing  to  applicants  the  ^>i/v'm^(!  reports 
u[ion  which  the  public  ratings  were  based,  nor  was  it  suggested 
that  the  names  of  informants  Avould  bo  given  as  a  badge  of  good 
faith.  This  deceitful  "  Card  "  was  merely  a  "  stop-gap"'  to  gain 
time,  while  an  investigation  was  in  progress,  to  learn  tlie  extent  of 
the  writer's  acquaintance  with  "  bottom  facts.*'  If  a  "  Card  "'  were 
to  be  issued  note,  the  chances  are  altogether  in  favor  of  a  more  lil)o- 


118 


THE   COMMEKCIAL   AGEN'CIKS. 


I-?,  ■ 


1^ 


■    i 
I 


ral  array  of  terms  for  the  dissati.^ficMl,  and  a  correspond iiii^  reduc- 
tion in  subscription-rates. 

Perliapri  the  very  meanest  act  on  tlic  part  of  the  sitartled  traf- 
iickers  in  the  good  name  of  so  many  of  our  iirst  citizens,  was  tlie 
malignant  manner  in  wliicli  tliey  commenced  dismissing  or  shift- 
ing clerks  who  might  liave  secured  special  acfpiaintance  Avith  the 
JJIack  Lists.  The  suspicion  of  being  suspected  was  enough.  The 
known  ojjportunity  to  learn  undesirable  knowledge  was  sufKcient  to 
place  imder  ban.  A  clearer  confession  of  conscious  weakness  was 
never  illustrated  by  a  pretentious  system,  in  the  instance  of  its  old- 
est and  most  devoted  servants. 

Besides  this  Carding,  dismissing,  and  shifting  process,  another 
precautionary  one  Avas  added.  A  secret  circular — tlie  trustiest 
weapon  in  the  rusty  catalogue  of  the  system — was  dispatched  to 
Branch  office  managers,  informing  them  that  the  writer  had  got 
great  store  of  facts  already,  and  miglit  be  in  league  with  the  clerks 
in  the  various  Jh-anches  t(j  get  more.  Extreme  watchfulness  was  en- 
joined. Letters  were  withheld  ;  post-marks  scnitinized  ;  any  sym])- 
tom  of  increased  assiduity  in  labor  was  held  of  bad  omen  ;  and  such 
!i  fluttering  generally  was  never  seen  hefore  since  Coriolanus  ''  flut- 
tered the  A'olsci  in  Coriole."  The  unfortunate  clerks  were  unde- 
cided whether  to  look  sad  or  cheerful ;  t(j  be  active  or  remiss  in 
duty ;  to  speak  or  not  to  speak  of  the  thunder  in  the  Agency  sky 
and  the  threatened  blinding  blaze  of  exposure.  All  these  precau- 
tions came  too  late.  The  persons  selected  by  the  writer  to  im- 
earth  the  hidden  secrets  of  the  Charnel  House  had  closed  their 
labors  long  before  the  System  took  exceptional  jn-ecaution  ;  and  the 
writer  intenticmally  gave  the  flrst  alarm  himself  by  informing  in- 
jured subscribers  and  others,  by  letter,  that  they  could  learn  what 
was  said  of  them  in  the  lleports,  free  of  charge,  on  a])plication  to 
him  at  the  Agency's  counters!  Ho  the  "Secret  Circular"  was  just 
as  valueless  to  avert  exposure  iis  the  "  Card"  had  been,  and  is  now 
serving  the  only  purpose  it  can  ever  subserve — namely,  to  show 
how  eager  the  Agency  ]\[anagers  were  to  trample  out  the  sparks 
which  threatened  their  tinder-box  institutions. 

If  this  was  the  general  conduct  of  one  Agency,  largely  referred 
to  in  these  pages,  Ave  can  iind  no  greater  show  of  couivigi;  and  self- 
confidence  in  the  other  two,  in  the  presence  of  tlie  threatened 
danger  to  their  system.    Bradstreet  it  Son  were  struck  dumb,  and 


►^  III  H]'j»IIBW"— '--" 


THE  SYSTESr   EXPOSED. 


119 


ii.i;"  I'cdiio 

tled  traf- 
S  wnri  tlio 
f  or  sliift- 

Avith  tlic 
di.  Tlie 
llicient  to 
<iit'.ss  was 
of  its  old- 

.  aiiotlier 
tnistiost 
itclicd  to 
•  had  <?ot 
lie  clerks 
;s  was  c'li- 
nysyiu],- 
andsiieli 
uis'''flut- 
ere  luide- 
I'emiss  in 
eiicy  sky 
3  prccau- 
r  to  lin- 
ed tliLM'r 
and  the 
iiiino"  in- 
rn  w]iat 
'ation  to 
vas  just 
I  is  now 
;o  show 
i  Hjjarks 

■eferred 
nd  self- 
eaten  c(l 
111),  and 


dared  not  conniiit  tlicniselvcs  to  any  statement  designe*!  to  show 
cither  the  comparative  benefits  or  lesser  defects  of  their  establish- 
ment over  others  in  the  same  line.    They  were  willing  to  negotiate 
for  the  secret  transfer  of  a  competitor's  good-will  in  the  trade  of  a 
neighboring  city,  bnt  they  shrank  from   ]»rcscnting  to  the  public 
any  claim  on  its  confidence    or   respect.     They    appear   to    have 
siidered  judgment  to  ])ass  against  them  by  default  sooner  Ihaji   go 
on  the  stand,  or  introduce  a  witness.     The  older  and  larger  firm  of 
McKillop  6z  Sprague  Co.  met  the  emergency  with  a  bohler  front 
for  a  time,  and,  as  we  thought  and  hoped,  proposed  to  show  that, 
whatever  might  bo  said  against  its  rivals'  manner  of  doing  business, 
it  had  no  occasion,  itself,  to  avoid  controversy,  not  arising  from  the 
Agency  System,  as  such.    In  this  spirit  it  favored  the  Avriter,  of  its 
own  motion,  with  a  pamphlet,  published  by   it  when  the  System 
was  less  understood  than  now,  and  courteously  solicited  in<piirios 
from  him  in  refei'ence  to  the  finn's  progress  and  painstaking.    We 
acted  on  the  suggestion  in  the  same  vein  :  and  hoped,  at  last,  to  find 
some   one   who   could   show    effective   adnn'nistration  on  even  a 
wrong  principle,  or  introduce  some  defence  for  the  principle  which 
had  not  occurred  to  us.     Our  disappointment  was  sincere  when  we 
found  even  this  firm  declined  to  commit  itself,  on   the  pretcnc;; 
that  facts  could  have  no  force  coining  from  them.    As  if  the  mere 
making  of  such  statement  to  us,  In  the  expectation  of  a  critical 
analysis,  were  not  a  straightforward  and  manly  thing,  certain  to  be 
favorably  thought  of  by  the  public  !     This  determination,   how- 
ever, coming  after  a  proffer,  indicates  that  the  Cominin-cial  Agency 
preferred  trusting  to  luck  to  showing  its  hand;  and  was  just  as  un- 
willing to  have  the  facts  of  its  management   submitted,    over  its 
own  signature,  to  e\amln:ttion  and  comment,  as  the  younger  and 
less  generally  recognized  fina  of  .1.   M.   Bradstrcet   it  Son.     Jt 
matters  very  little,  however,  to  any  one  who  shall  read  this  work, 
and  particularly  the  chapter  containing  the  Comparative  Tables  of 
McKillop  <Sc  Sprague  Co.  and  Dun,    Harlow   <k  Co.,  whi'thor  the 
former  firm  employs  more  ''  help"  than  the  latter,  or  spends  more 
subscriptions,  in  arriving  at  the  self-confuting  statistics  with  which 
we  have  knocked  both  their  heads  together  and  demonstrated  their 
worse  than  inutility.   It  is  of  no  consequence,  whatever,  wlK;ther  the 
one  or  the  other  firm  em})loys  the  g"eater  number  of  hands   and 
the  more  experienced  managers;  our  issue  is  with  the  System,  out 


120 


THE   COMMERCIAL   AGENCIES. 


II 


i 


of  wliich  botli  cxtnict  tlieir  ■\voiiltIi  ;  jiiid  fi»  lon;^  as  tlio  Systom 
cannot  ho  dcfcndod,  it  is  not  worth  Avliile  to  entur  intoacalculution 
for  tlio  ])iirj)oso  of  dotcnainin^  which  of  tho  two  id  tho  greater 
trillcr  witli  priviito  rii^lits  or  })ublic  patience. 

IJetwcen  eludini^  tlie  li^dit  of  controversy  and  ( ree])ing  or 
crawling  out  of  litigations  on  its  belly,  tho  Agency  j>u.-iness  may 
bo  said  to  lead  a  reptile  life  of  secret  warfare  for  it.s  own  ends, 
but  of  cowardly  n.treat  and  elusion  when  fairly  challenged.  It 
can  bite  and  Bting  tho  unconscious  and  unsuspecting;  but  it  is 
wily  enough  to  risk  nothing  when  its  opponents  are  prepared.  If 
wo  may  judg(!  from  tlio  past  history  of  Agencies,  they  will  ])ursue 
tho  name  course  which  has  stood  them  in  good  stead  <if  coin-age  or 
mei'it.  Tliey  will  seek  to  avoid  responsibility  for  injuries  done,  ])y 
a  Bwift  show  of  (h.'ccMtfnl  nteckness  and  simulated  regret  at  their 
occurrence;  they  will  eompronuse,  where  they  can,  at  the  last 
moment,  rather  than  try  actions  brought  against  them  for  libel  ; 
they  will  lui'o  to  their  side  the  Attorneys  of  the  op])onents,  at 
every  opportunity ;  they  w.'ll  watch  tho  Journals  of  Staff;  Legis- 
latures to  aiitici[)ate  legislation  inimical  t<j  their  ])retensionH  ; 
where  it  is  attempted,  they  will  call  in  the  "Lobby";  they  will 
do  anything  and  everything,  except  enter,  voluntarily,  on  a  public 
discussion  or  a  legal  investigation. 


TliE  .SV.STKil  KxrosEj;. 


IL'I 


CIlAPTEIi  XVI II. 

TIIK  AOENf'IES'  ESTIMATES  CO.MI'AllEI)  AND  AIMTJED  TO  IN'DI- 
VIDI'ALS  IN  VARIOUS  CITIES-THE  IlII)I('i:i,(;US  EKiUHE  (TT 
]JY   THE   "  WIHDOM-SEI-LEKS." 

AVi;  ccjiiio  now,  ]>y  an  ea^y  and  natural  transition,  from  allo;^a- 
tioiis  relatini(  ti^  tliu  (•apa(Mty  und  litne.ss  of  tlio  A<f(3ncie-i  to  adviso 
in  l)usinf!ss  risks,  to  tiio  proof  (jf  tlieir  unfitness,  Av!iieli  is  found  in 
tlioir  own  works  and  und(U'  their  own  si^fnaturc■s.  If  wo  liave, 
lieretofore,  reasoned  wroni^ly  or  assailed  iiialicic)usly,  wc  aro 
about  to  lie  confuted;  for  who  in  the  wronu;  c^n  alTord  to  ho 
judf^etl  hy  tho  evidonco  of  his  adversary  i  Ihit  if  wo  have  merely 
told  thf;  truth,  and  faii'iy  weiii'heil  our  Kuhj(!ct  ^>/v>  and  ran.,  tho 
Ageneies  themiielves  Avill  supply  us  with  incontrovcrtihle  testi- 
mony. 

or  tho  three  A<^eiK:i(iS  Iiradstreets',  alone,  i^ives  no  capital  rat- 
ings, fio  that  it  escapes,  for  the  tinui  being,  from  the  coirimon  pil- 
lory of  comparison  into  which  wo  press  tho  otln-r  two.  IJut  its 
competitors'  "  figures"  must  cast  a  deep  shadow  of  suspi(Mon  over 
its  own  "  words,"  and  satisfy  any  reflecting  jterson  that  greater 
wariness  is  no  indication  of  equal  or  superior  knowledge;,  hut  may 
1)0  a  .sign  and  symbol  of  either  more  conscious  ignorance  or  more 
alert  H(;lf-conviction. 

Take  up,  reader,  tho  'luly  ('IS"."))  Ile[)orts  or  R(!fei-enc(!  Hooks 
of  the  ^fcKillop  &  Sprague  (Jo.  and  Dun,  liarlow  iSj  Co.  They 
are  the  latest  published  by  these  firms  at  tlu;  hour  of  wi-iting. 
They  shouhl  be  the  mf)st  jx-rfcf-t.  They  are  sohl  for  high  ]>riccs. 
They  ought  to  l)e  woith  something.  They  are  j)onderous  and  im- 
posing in  exterior  looks  and  iiit(;rior  matter;  so  that  tiicy  ouglit 
to  serve,  or  be  al)le  1o  serve,  ^ome  usc'ful    purpose  in  the   .Xgcncy 


cconomv 


Th 


i\y    ])retend    to    itiore    piMcticiil    wisdo: 


II    tliau    tlie 
lo-c   merelv 


Tables  of  "Moses   or  the   Ten   ('ommandnuMits  ;   for  tl 

give  nuiral  axicjms,  and  the.>e  claim  to  give  lessons  of  succes-fiil 

business  life  to  a  people  ten  times  as  numerous  as  the  .lews  at  their 


rr 


il 


v^* 


122 


TUE   COMMERCIAL  AGE^X'IES. 


f-'i't 


best,  and  engaged  iu  tninsiietioiis  involving  ten  times  nioi'tj  wealth 
than  the  treusiircs  of  Judea  or  Kgvpt.  Thcjy  are  the  ripe  result 
and  full  fruition  (it  is  said)  of  the  elYorts  of  a  standing  army  of  eor- 
vespondcnts  numborod  by  the  50,000;  an  auxiliary  corps  of.  muni- 
cipal sappers  and  minors  counting  -well  up  in  the  hundreds  ;  headed 
and  directed  by  the  inherited  and  attained  gciuiralship  and  discre- 
tion of  a  staff  of  sui)erb  appointments  and  magnificent  incomes, 
and  they  ought  to  be — well,  -worth  more  than  waste  paper,  Alas! 
the  anti-climax.  These  ponderous  tomes,  out  of  whose  feculent 
growth  several  fortunes  have  been  made — out  of  whose  hoped-for 
continuance  several  more  fortunes  are  expected  to  be  made — are 
self-convicting  impostures.  These  mammoth  accumulations  of 
names  and  figures  are  discovered  to  be  neither  more  nor  less  than 
ntensils  for  withdrawing  money  from  business  men's  pockets 
under  the  disguise  of  improving  their  nndcrstandings  and  facili- 
tating their  interconrsc. 

Open  the  two  Books  at  the  State  of  "  Maryland,"  take  the  title 
"  Iialtimore,"  and  for  greater  convenience,  whi  e  picking  at  hazard 
from  the  roll  of  names  for  our  examples,  select  them  alphabeti- 
cally and  set  them  down  tabnlarly.  Having  (-hoscn  the  names  for 
contrast,  note  the  ratings,  and  put  down  their  ccpiivalcnts,  by  the 
respective  keys,  in  numerals.  As  both  Agencies  give  the  extremes 
of  capital  ratings,  let  us  take  their  lowest  and  their  highest,  each 
as  to  itself,  and  next  as  to  each  other,  and  contemplate  the  result. 
Tt  is  certainly  startling;  and  if  the  Agencies  cran  profitably  exist 
in  an  intelligent  community  after  the  exposure,  the  fault  will 
not  lie  at  our  door. 


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CirAPTEn  XTX. 

IMPOIITANT  I-EOAL  niX'ISION-TIIK  M(  LKAN  CARE  IN  TORONTO- 
TIIE  AlJENCV  PHIM.'IPLK  OF  NON  ACCOUNTAIULITY  DENIKD 
UY  A  CANADIAN  JUUY— A  VEUDICT  FOll  THE  PLAINTIFF  IN  A 
TEST  CASE. 

Tin;  Toronto  Globe  ami  Toronto  JA//7  of  Duceinljcr  8tli  and 
0th,  1875,  contain  a  full  report  of  tho  trial  of  an  action  bronjL^ht 
by  ono  Andrew  McLean  a'^ainst  JJuii,  AV^inian  it  Co.'s  Aijencv 
f(jr  dania^fe.s  Knstained  in  consecjuenco  of  relying  on  info'.ination 
given  to  liini  by  tlieir  clerks  and  servants.  The  gist  of  the  action 
goes,  of  course,  to  tho  very  marrow  of  tlie  controversy  in  which 
we  are  engaged;  and  the  thoroughness  of  tho  contention  in  tho 
Canadian  court,  tho  strong  array  of  counsel  employed,  the  direct- 
ness of  tho  testimony  on  tho  (piostion  of  negligence,  and  tho  linal 
result  in  favor  of  tho  plaintiff  at  tho  hands  of  the  jnry,  render  an 
ex;:>nded  notice  of  tho  case  eminently  proper  in  these  piiges.  In 
fact,  wo  have  purposely  delayed  this  publication  so  as  to  spread 
this  corroborative  proof  of  our  arguments  of  ])rinciple  and  j>oli(y 
before  our  readers,  believing  that  nothing  could  bo  more  acceptable 
or  convincing  than  a  legal  determination  of  a  plaiidy  test  case 
coming  after  our  own  proofs,  and  showing  their  legal,  as  well  as 
practical,  bearings. 

Mr.  I5cthune  opened  the  case  for  plaintiff.  He  said  tho  facts 
were  as  follow : 

Mr.  McLean  was  a  dealer  in  leather,  and  in  Juno  last  E.  M. 
Wilson,  Avlio  at  that  time  was  doing  business  in  the  shoo  trade  on 
King  street,  called  at  plaintiff's  to  purchase  goods.  Mr.  McLean 
Avas  not  at  home,  but  on  his  return  ho  had  sent  to  tho  agency  of 
Dun,  Wiman  tfc  ih.  to  get  a  rejjort  of  Wilson's  standing  and 
character  and  business.  The  infonnation  was  to  the  effect  that 
Wilson  claimed  lo  be  worth  $7000  ;  that  he  had  $.5000  or  $0000 
in  his  business ;  •;hat  ho  was  doing  a  fair  business,  and  that  his 
credit  was  fair.     The  inquirer  as  to  this  information  resorted  to  it 


■ 

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TUH   SV.STKM    liXl'OSKl). 


U5 


uliDut  .\|iril,  it  Kci'iiiL'il,  or  ])i'rli!i[).s  iiti  (.Mrliff  d.iUj,  Tins  artiou 
\v;iri  IImmI  uii  tliu  alli'^'nl  duty  ol'  tin-  (IclViidaiit.s  to  use  ordinary 
dili;;vii('u  ill  oldaiiiiii^'  iid'ormatiou  accKnliii;^  tu  tludr  cuiitract,  uiul 
ill  rc;iMril  t(i  lliu  htaiidiii;,'  (if  liu>iiu'.>s  iihmi,  ami  diIi,i;Liiitly  and  t'aitli- 
t'lillv  to  rcpoii  to  tlicir  Mil).si*i'il)e'i'ri  tlii!  nsiilt  of  hiicli  ini|iiiriis. 
Mf.  .M(d-('aii  liad  liccn  in  tlic  lialtit  for  yuars  Itufoii:  of  |)ayin_:;  iiis 
siil)scri[»lioii,  and  tliu  plaintill"  clainu'l  tliat,  Iiu  had  a  rii;lit  to  tho 
(laiiia;n'(;s  Ik;  a^Iiud  as  a  coniin'ii.sition  for  lliu  los.s  lit;  liiul  siistainod 
owiii;^  to  tin;  iiicoiToct  information  t.Iicy  had  ^^ivcn  to  Jiiin.  Tlio 
(h.'fL'ndants,  M\:  Ikitliinie  said,  caiiio  into  conrl,  and  wcro  i»rc[)ai'e(l 
to  deny  ovuiytldn^' — tliat  tliuv  wwo  not  a  nifivantilc!  ayx'iicy,  and 
that  tlioy  had  not  siynud  tlnj  ayivonR'nt.  Tin;  plaintiir  liad  a  ri^iit 
to  conipuiisation  lici'c!  just  as  much  as  if  In-  had  onj^a^^'ud  a  private 
detc'ctivi'.  wlio  liad  actt'd  in  iK'i,di«;i;nco  of  his  onh/rs;  of  a^•ainst  a 
])]iy>ic'ian  wiio  liad  hern  lu'^'li^-ciit  or  i^fnorant  of  liis  cn^-ag'oniL'nt. 

]\Ir.  .1.  !I,  Canu'roii  ai'^'ucd  that  tho  plaintiir  liad  no  i^'round 
for  liis  action,  <iiiotin;4  iiuthoritlcs,  tho  principal  of  wliicli  woro  tho 
Statiito  of  I'raiids,  and  tho  clauso  rclatini;' to  such  actions  in  Lord 
Tontt'rdeii's  Act,  and  tho  Act  !>,  (looi'^-o  J\'. ;  Swan  v.v.  Phillips, 
8  ;  Adolphus  v.y.  Ellis,  -1-,  5,  7.  lUit  in  this  action,  ^Mr.  C'amon;;i 
said,  tlioy  would  havo  to  coiilino  tlu'inxdvcs  to  tho  j^roiinds  j)or- 
inittcd  in  tho -tth  Hoc.  of  tho  Statuto  (d"  Frauds,  or  i^iif.  (I  in  tho 
Act  relating'  to  proinisos  and  agroomouts,  and  in  Avhich  tho  niis- 
chiof  intended  to  bo  j^'uardod  against  was  siillicioutly  ])ointoil  out. 
Tho  plaintitrs  case,  as  they  had  heard  it,  could  not  ho  sustained, 
as  tlioro  had  hoeii  no  written  contract,  and  ho  would  ask  for  a  non- 
suit. 

Mr.  Eethuiic  said  the  only  caso  ho  would  oHor  was  a  recent 
Knu'lish  decision,  Lloyd  r-w  J'erny  was,  an  action  ai^ainst  tho  WccJdif 
Itaniu'Ujit  Gazette  for  not  supplying-  inforniatiou  'in  agroemont 
with  a  pul)lished  prospectus.  Tho  jury  had  found  tiiat  a  contract 
liad  heon  made,  and  t,^'ivo  the  iilaintill"  damai^es.  lie  thought  the 
cases  to  which  Mr.  Cameron  had  referred  were  entirely  outside 
the  argument  here.  lie  Avoiild  ask  his  Lordship  to  let  the  case  go 
to  the  jury,  although  ho  would  liav'o  preferred  tho  matter  to  come 
up  by  demurrer. 

Mr.  J.  II.  Cameron  replied  that  tho  case  cited  by  !Mr.  Be- 
thune  did  not  sustain  the  argument  or  form  a  sulHcient  ground 
for  action. 


\\\\ 


m 


-  'm 


mnsimsmiaiiBassmm 


mmmm 


I    -' 


\^c> 


TUE   COMAJKkCJAI,    AChSr'! l-y.. 


Ill 


Ill.-i  I>'/r'l -hip  'l(;'-i'](''i  t!i;tt,  ll)(;  (■■a.,(:  (H.'i  j,*/,  i:ol;if;  wilLiu  t,li(; 
St.utilt';  iif  l'"r;tU'l.~,  ;ui'l  tli',-  'jU':-t;',;)  of  \',  lii.t  hi;i-  il,  (;uin(;  v.illii.'i  ti;<; 
hCOpf;  oi    I-jI''1   Ti;lit';l-'li;r|'-;  Art     v.  ;i-!    i,i:)i;    (<i    /il'iati;!'    d  j'ilfult  V,    hht. 

liih  iiiij)n;.-:.-,iofi  ".vijh  t.liaf.  ii  'Ji'l  )i';t,  ;i|/](ly  «:itlj(;r.  Ill-,  I/,r'l  Inp  <U:- 
(■]<]i:'\  tli;it.  tiir;  f;;i.-(j  hIiouI'1  ;/o  \'t  I'l'.-  jurv,  Wj'lli  J(;;xv(;  'i,  Mr.  Cluh-.- 
I(;(j   t.'.  JiiOVit    mTicnillv. 

Afl';r  jfi'f/viu;.'  hy  o'i)i(-|-  wl' iic.'.r.fn  till!  'i(;i(j;iii'i  foi'  ii);i>r;/i.it.ioii, 
it:-!  ri'':(:i|>t,  it  ■;  font.CAt  .-tutin;./-  tnut.  "  \\'iJ,-:'))i  ■■v;i.--;  worth  $7000, 
Jiii'l  ill  ;_"/o'l  \'i'-,i\  f)'(rlir  "  t.hf;  hilc  :(ii'l  'l''livi:rv  of  I'-oo'i-.  >ni<\<-r 
thi-,   infonnuii'.!/,  li.ii'l    th';    lo,--.  .M/.    Jiothunc    callo-'l     h.  M'-i.ca;). 

who  t';.tili(;'|   : 

'■  i  al;i  ili  l!i';  lc:it.ii'-I'  h;j -.i/)':  ,-.  ]j';l''::  I  liir.  i:  h':(-n  in  i»li -IllO.-B 
aljoiit.  t-,\(rl  vc  xcar.T  ;  I  liari  u  paftrii  r.  Mr.  I  >;j!y,  aljoiit.  l(:n  ■.■r;;trh 
a;_'0,  aii'i  I  tliidk  v/o  h(;''ai;ii;  ';o)ili*;ft':']  v.i'ii  th',-  .\ic<:wv  oJ"/'//.  //.■': 
I'lj.iiiti  l.'ini'i  1  iia<l  ;i  hool'.'  fai!<r'i  a  r.iii),-'Ti!.iO)'",-.  ijool;."  i''.\  h.,ol: 
WJts  jH'fj'lu':*;'!  aii'l  i'i(,'iil.ilii;'i  UH  one  Jj(,'  had  ha'i.  A  riiiulh-r  hook 
svan  j<ro'lii''<:'i.  alr.o  a  -uij.-f.Tih'ii.s'  hook,  '.vlii'-h  '\.<:  hu'l  had  v,hr;)i 
tho  af'tioii  '•o!iiii:oii'-«  <i.  'I'in.'-f;  h<jok:>  (;oiit,aitii;<i  liiO  najjj';.-,  iiiid 
rutiii;:,-.  r|(oi:cji  of  l.y   Mr.   ncthiiJic^i 

Willi.'.''.  Wo  Joly  'I,'!  t]j(t,-(;  hoo.k-  .  and  ha'.o  thf.-i.i  at  hand 
for  iiro  :  i  paid  .t'i'.ii  a  yoai';  I  /.(.ivc  iu-lnicfioiis  to  ohta!;i  inforiua 
lio/i  fioiii  til';  A^<;u':y,  and  a  day  or  t'-.vo  aft.f;r  i  •:-:.'.:•:  Wil-oji  ;  i 
Fold  liii/j  jr/od-i  to  thfj  uinoiint  of  >'52  1.1  7,  oil  tho  ii.-wa]  to-rm.-  :  1 
ajipliol  lor  no  oiJif:)'  jni'onnal  ion  f.y.a-.^A  that  I  {^ot,  from  tho  (jc- 
f<'jidanl.):  it.  was  ho  <;Apli''ii.  .'tnd  .".o  .-t.ron;/  I  )ja.d  no  doui/1.  uhont. 
it;  I  'jiA  infoj-niatiori  early  in  .luly  thai  Wii-'^ii  l,:,.,!  r^ji  aj-(.d  out,; 
1  .M;nt  niv  hookk(;';jj';r  to  lin'l  out  th';  j>art.i<,-ular.-,  and  foiind  tlifrre 
wa-  nothiiiL''  l<:fl  ;  1  ri';v(:r  'juotiono/i  th*;  triitli  <>\  tlio  infoiwnafion 
1  f/ol  iViii/i  tho  d'-f(;ridant.-;  ;    1  l.nov,-  Mr.  W'inian  pcr.-onally. 

Jj'/  .!//■.  M.  <  '.  f.''i/ii' /on.  I  IniO-W  till;  cldij-  \\'!'-'.M,  vvjjo 
wa.s  (■■.ivv\\\i'^  on  hii-ini;-,-.  lio-lon;  in  tho  haruo  .-.land  a-;  hi  :  .on  afto)-- 
wui'do  ;  1  kn'w  a-;  a  faet.  that,  \\  il.-.on,  tlio  .-on.  carri'rd  on  huc  in ';.•;.•; 
in  tin;  r.ani*;  place  a.-;  hi.s  fat!i(;r  had  dono-  hofore :  1  havo  hf;f:n  con- 
nected for  ahout,  ten  y<;ar.s  wit.h  the  defr-ndant-.;,  and  hav;  made  a 
//reat  inany  in'(iiiri';i  in  that.  lime. 

/;/•«/./'/.■•  Wini'in.  I  am  'ino  of  the  d>f<-.nd.:n!  •  :  J  live  in  Xew- 
"^'ork  :  "A.'  do  oiw  hu-ine,--,  here  hy  dejnily  ;  oni'  ■hjiuty  jjere  i;s 
\\'.  r.  Mathew.s;  th'-re  ai'e  t.weK<;  or  tliiileen  In  the  olliee  ;  i  wan 
not,  here  in  -JuJie  ;   I    have  he-en   told    that   one   of  om"  elork.s  l'hvo 


Tin:    hYHTKM    KX    <)HVA). 


147 


flif;  Iiifonriiitloi)    t'>    M:'.    \\i-]j::i:i.      \Vi;   'j'wc  tlic   iriforuiutioii  \v<- 
}i;tvr; ;   v:i;  <1<;  Wit.  ^>n:Uti\(\  Vi  ;riv<;  f.li-';  iiij'oi'iii;it,ioii  'jowri  to  tlic  (];iv 


.(;  Lri'.i;   i'  :    V,''; 


is<-ni:r;i]\v  'ji'X  lofrd-rriati'jrj  t^\■i';(;  a  vc/M'.an'/  f/o  nof 


/•onat.o 


'l<:i'  'il,  'ii.i'c.cj'Hti I'll  I')  (l(>  Kii  lift. 


r  ;   V. ';  Jij.'tl.c  iij<  tlic  r<jii</'t  •.    ill 
tin.',  f-jd'i'i;/  ;iri'i  f.i!l  :  tli';  Aprii  v'-jcd-f  wu,-:  ;^(i1t(;ri    pndi.'iMy  fny  uwv 

l.Oll'iojl  I'Kll^'biri'l^  iijlif;  foi'  ill''   -mIi-'TJ!)"!'^    tlir'ic. 

/^'y  .\f/'.  ■/.  II.  f 'iiiiHi-oi, .      i  li':y  li.'t'l    lii';  \><>'>\<.  wjtli  t,li<!  rating' 
of  .M.ir'-!i  Jti  tj;i-,  ■.•(.■:u'.  ;ui'i  til';  Iiif'jr.'nati'^fi  tlics'  'mA.  wan  r-roKaldv 


a  /noiitli  lutf  T, 


f 


jni.t,  {;:ii;.y.—\ 


\\;ir.    HI     \l\.'    '  l/Jtil' 


.TJ'- 


Mr.   W 


)!')!),  -.vlio   i-:ui   awav  .lur.'  rtHt 


/111.   t'.vo   or   liir''';    v,'(-''k~,   m  .fini'-.  l)iif.  not 


wlif;!!  \i<:  \s(!iif.  av.av 


1 


•A;r-    'suiU'j    rii(---a'." 


:i'l    ij't'    ini|f:li 


flock  ;  }i(!  iju'i  a  tsvcnt.  ur.aiy  Imxi--,  liiit;  iIk-v  \v<;r(;  (;i/jpl'.-  :  !i';  waH 
al'.vavH  t.'il'Kir);jr  ahoiit  v(-tt)ii;.'' i-tock,  hut.  Ik;  did  not  ;/f;t,  anv;  f  do 
not.  lliiid;  ]i<;  wan  doiii'/  a  j;ro-j;'Toi;-  triidc  ;.s  J   did   not,  ^<:<;  niu'.-h 


'  o:ri'' 


A'//    .1//.    .'/.    /".    ('"iiifroii.      A     -tcari;_'-'-r   L'^intr    Into  tku;  .^}io{» 


■.VO'J 


d  iiol. 


':';  rnii''!!  Iian7ifi'„' around  :  tln-r';    '.v:!.-    a   trrcaf    f/:irfiiK;r 


of  :-niaIl  ho'-.r-.  hut  lii'V  wrro  f;i;)j.t  y.  and  tl/r;  |)OA(h /""■/  ''^/'^.y  '>hi 


<„'  t 


llu 


/'  iii'i)  ii'i I r '.  Ill  III'  III 

\\  ilii'lm      'J /I'n/ij 


I'm  .   a     !)0  . 


Mr.   \Vi'  on  :    I  u;i.th.T 


of    1  J. —  f    wa-   in    tljc   fnij:|ov  of 
f. 


f:  lit)  to  t!i(;  (■•.'lunir  onfor':  !;'•  ■'.■f;nt  a',v;i 


I  fool:  Honu;  ''ood,-,  of  !ii-.  down  to  tin;   au'-tioi 


•on  i\: 


K:  .M 'FaHan  (;',■■ :  f  ''ould  not  t 


i-foorn  to  ll'-ndf'i- 
'■)'!  !;o\v  oftcri  f  took  ;rood-do\vn 
tlicro  ;  f  tool:  l!if;i/j  in  a  ulif;--iljarrov/ ;  I  took  ;-otfi(;  in  tijr;  dav- 
tiinc  and  -oino  in  t!;<;  mor-niri;.' :  \]\i:y  w-rr;  in  IiO.vh  ;  a  j.'ood 
inanv  p(:o[)l(:  f;irn<;  in  !ait;  tiicy  di'i  not   huy  ifjiJ';lj._/o/'  /""  /I'l  '  nr,! 


7li  i"-fi    t'l  ••"  ''/. 

/>'//    Mr.   .)/.   r.   Cn, 


Ji(;  tiaii     111    .JalMi'ir 


I    do   not    L'nov/   ), 


iDUfl)   ''ood.s 


;Ml 


.■'■n>    tia;."c 


/  I.  ii'/ii;   till    I  I 


'I'lX' :i  'ii'i-.i'i 


f'ifi])lii.  \<iV  I   II  'd  to  put  t.licni  iijion  thn  rk-r; 
•loJiii     .)!'■  /''ii/l'ii" .      I 


am    ou»-   ' 


if    ill';    fi.'VH    of      II'T 


I'I'-r-'.n   (\' 


McFarlaii'-,  au'-fionf.';)- :  \' 


fonri 


♦of  K.   M.  Wi! 


'.<;  !n;i'i''  a  .-al<;  o!    Ic/'it.  •  and  -lio'--;  <t]\  nc- 


liicv  ■  <;i.  ;idv(;rt,i.-»;d  !(H  hari k nirit.  rto^k 


tli<;y  \V';;<;  hol'l  iiV  tk';  d''Ziii   p 'ir-,  ai, 
on  the  m :i;''/in  of  tnv  '■al';dK)ok. 


'     i>i'  "• 


I' 
tv(;  ni'-    lh';  '■•o.-t.    pfif 


Nff.  .\I,  ( '.  <"  :,!ii' r',ri  a-k^d  v  li  it  thi- f-\  i'htrK-';  atnounti 'I  tt,. 
^I)■.  llithurx;  i-aid  lh*'V  <\[)i''-tcfi  to  ,-how  hu'-li  a   noi'iriou-.  htatf; 
of  Miaftcr.-,  ti,,it   othci-  p<((p'';   kn';'v,   if  th';  d''ff-nd.i'it  ^  did   not. 


\''  n 


I.5T  i 


m 


!K, 


■it 


*V     1 


148 


TIIK    COMMKUCIAL    AfiKXCIKS. 


m 


wliat  was  |1h>  1()\v  f^tate  of  (M'cdit.  J  jn'oposo  to  .■-lidU'  llifit  from 
Miircli  lie.  liad  sold  ])robul(]y  u[)  to  SlOOO  \v«i)-lli  of  ^oods  ;it,  nuc- 
Uion.  ^y^•  will  Avant  to  go  further,  and  sliow  that  it  was  well 
hiK'wn  that  Wilson  was  in  oiid)arrassc:d  oirciiiii>tanf('s. 

/'/li/'jf  Ji'rrihi. — Was  a  dcah'r  in  shoc-liiidiiiL';s  and  leatlier; 
kin'W  Wilson,  and  had  sonic  talk  last  wintc.M'  ahout  his  ci'cdit ;  it 
was  said  tu  ho  very  had  ;  tho  talk  was  ever  since  hi^  (  M.  M.  Wil- 
son)  was  in  hiisiness  ;  I  wonld  not  have  trusted  him  ;  I  did  trust 
him  for  aliout  »^55,  ami  ho  gave  a  cheek,  hut  heforo  1  could  get  it 
cashed  he,  was  gouo ;  I  am  a  suiisci'iher  to  tho  Dun-Wiman 
agency  ;  1  never  made  any  iu(|uiry  there  ;  I  hnew  enough  myself ; 
it  was  ciirreiilly  ]-i|iorte(l  that  ho  had  hecn  ti'avelling  in  the  States 
wilh  a  li'Miipe  (,f  iKigro  minstrels.  (On  cross-cxanunalio!!  the  wit- 
ness said  it  was  not  a  good  cxperionco  for  husincss  to  have  heeii 
going  with  a  minstrel  troupe.) 

i!'(//A/'  II  iir(liii<>i'i\,  wliolesalo  dealer  on  l-'i'ont  sti'cet. — Wilson 
had  a.-ked  lor  a  credit  at  our  house,  ami  had  ordci'e<l  a  (|nantity  of 
go(jds  which  I  icfu^eil  to  deliver;  I  had  an  idea  that  h(Mvould  not 
succeed  in  hu.-iness;  his  fatliei'  iiad  s})oken  io  us  ahmil  his  son  and 
I'egretted  that  he  was  so  uiistea<ly,  hut  hoped  now  ho  was  going  to 
turn  over  a  n(nv  leaf;  \  had  s])oken  to  several  ])arties  during  tho 
spring,  and  ihero  was  an  impres.-rion  that  AVilson  was  not  in  good 
credit. 

Joftej>Ii  f*nci^fiii</r). — 1  am   inanager  <»f  Ih-adstrcet's  agency  in 

le  ordi- 


thiscilv;    I   ascertained  J'].  M.  AVilson's   credit  throui-'h  tl 


nary 


channc 


]\rr.  Cameron  ohjected  to  this  evidence  of  ohtaining  informa- 
tion. It  might  have  been  g(jtton  hy  some  person  who  was  (;villy 
disposed  towards  Mr.  Wilson. 

ty   repoi'ters  who 


ilV// 


)i'ocee(linir. 


-It 


was  one   ul   our  ci 


ffot  the  information. 


J//-.  ( 


(iiiiy'i'on. 


lie  soui'c(;s  mav  he  all  wmn 


11 


ig.     Mr.  i' 


ncstman 


tells  ns  ho  has  no  pcM'sonal  hiiowled^re  of  the  matter. 


l(7///rv.S'. 

\\\v.  cit  V  ;  our  ( 


-We  <lo  not  inter,  hange  with  the  other  agencies  in 
lcrksar(;  forhiddeii  to  lia\e  any  communication  with 


Dun.'Wiman  w  ( 'o.V  otlice 


Ci.iirli.s  Tildir. —  I  am  cmitloyed  hy  yiv.  IJlachfonl;  I  was  also 
ill  the  service  (»f  the  elder  Mr.  Wilson  Un-  ahout  twonty-tive  years, 
and  in  the  employment  of  tho  young  man  after  ho  got  tho  husl- 


THE  SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


140 


iie-s;  ]ic  luid  vory  iiTOij^iilar  luibit.s,  not  strii'tly  sober  nor  ]);irticii- 
lur  in  liis  company  ;  /  I'ld  hear  laxt  'whiter  xome  people  ^oij  t/c  ij 
would  not  irud  him,  i  husincus  lacn  mhl  ko  j  Ik;  was  not  an 
liononil)lc  man. 

WiUlaiii  Itoilijcra. — Was  in  tlio  employ  of  Mr.  I  lay  last  .surn- 
inor  ;  Afr.  Hay  was  AV'^ilson's  landhtrd  ;  T  went  into  the  store  after 
he  ran  away  and  fonnd  a  lot  of  empty  hoxes ;  there  mii^lit  have 
hecn  !?15  or  §20  -wortii  of  stock  left. 

Mr.  Hethnne  said  ho  now  proposed  to  call  Mr.  McFarlano  to 
show  that  Wilson  had  been  in  the  habit  of  sellin<^  parcels  of  i^oods 
below  cost.  Uo  had  a  donble  y)roposition  to  demonsti-ate — the 
fact  that  Wilson  was  insolvent,  and  then  that  the  defemlants 
niii;ht  have  known  this  fact. 

His  Lordship  said  there  coidd  be  no  diflicnlty  about  ])rovin;i; 
ihe  insolvency. 

J//'.  Cohh'i/,  recalled.. — There  was  notliinij  sai<l  of  the  date  u[> 
to  which  the  information  was  <fiven  ;  if  there  had  b((!n  I  would 
have;  made  a  note  of  it  in  my  r(;])ort. 

j\[r.  Donald,  recalled,  said  the  a;^ent  told  him  they  ncvci'  i^ave; 
dates;  tliere  was  notliiui^  ^:lid  as  (o  lb  ,  date  n[)  to  which  they  i;'ave 
the  information. 

Mr.  Bethune. — Does  the  Ai^^ency  issne  a  changedist? 

Wltncfiti. — They  <^ive  ns  a  chani^edist  twice  a  week;  tluy  will 
not  give  a  messenger  a  date,  bnt  they  put  the  date  of  the  state- 
ment on  the  papers  they  supply;  ?y  they  send  o,  r'jmrf  n.  ir.i'k 
after  it  is  tlsJced,  for  example,  they  will  send  the  date  u[)  to  Vvliich 
they  know  about  the  person,  bnt  if  I  was  getting  the  information 
they  would  not  tell  me  up  to  what  tinu;  they  liad  made  it  u[;.    . 

A[r.  I5ethiine  said  this  was  tlu;  ])]aintifrs  case. 

jNfr.  M.  C.  Camenjn  said  tlu;  ])laintiir  has  failed  to  prove  that 
the  defendant  had  made  breach  of  contract,  as  they  had  given  the 
information  up  to  21>t!i  Api'il,  and  had  not  given  it  as  iiifoniia- 
tion  np  to  June  .l"tli.  Then  the  information  was  given  up  to  the 
time  when  it  was  stat(;il,  and  it  did  not  ihi'i'efore  apj)carth:it  lli;'ie 
had  been  iuiy  b'-each. 

INfr.  T'ethnnc  re[)lied  that  tlio  conli-ai-r  .•ould  not  mean  to  he 
irnrely  'he  information  tiny  had,  hut  flnij  nrjreed  to  yioe  (I'ith  reit- 
.soiiidih  CO r rectne.HH  at  (i  (jlreii,  titite  or  a  partic.idnr  (luie,  (Uid  vot 
anil  ^'' ''"-')  "•^'  'd  iivJtjht  hijjli'ii  or  /'vV;  ijinrx.     The  information  must 


1^1  fi 
'it 

r 


i 


filiiili 


\i\ 


M 


5;,.    ^r 


? 


%•& 


,    "V 


\    • 


i.M, 


1 

I'd 


i 


150 


TllK   CO.MMKUCIAL   AGEN'ClliS. 


b(;  of  !-(nn(!  ii,«e,  and  to  l;o  of  tlii.s  cliuractei-  i!  iiiii>l  Ik;  lliercfore  of 
sucli  dates  that  it  (;<Mil(l  1)C  ndied  (jii. 

Ml'.  iJetliiiiKj  asked  io  bo  allowed  to  amend  the  declai-aticjii  to 
.sustain  the  avei'iiieiit  that  the  rc!j)ort  of  the  20tli  April  was  incor- 
j'cct,  and  npon  the  merits.     Air.  JJethuno  (said  the  rei)ort  bellowing 


war,  mi 


slead 


mj 


Tl 


lis  re 


[tort  w 


IS ; 


"  K.  .\r.  Wilson,  Torontc^  .Iiinc,  1875,  lias  stock  about  81000, 


f^ 


oi'iner 


.)' 


.f  Wil 


son 


&  Co.,  dissolved.     He  is  son  of   I).  AVilson, 


who  sold  out  to  E.  M.  Wilson  and  E.  A.  riiilip,  Wil.'^on  owns  no 
real  estate  ;  has  sonio  85000  or  8'''^'^'0  in  the  business  ;  he  claims 
\(>  b(!  worth  8T000 :  cliara(!ter  and  habits  are  jrood;  is  doin<j'  a  fair 


ti-ade;  biij.s  niostly  Ainonean  g(Jods  ;  credit  goo 


dit 


ft 


J  oca 


iiy. 


There  was  evidence  to  show'that  as  far  back  as  January  the 
young  man's  haliits  Avere  not  good,  and  that  his  business  Mas  not  at 
any  time  in  a  good  condition. 

)eeii    oifered   ot 


Mr.    M.  C.    (J 


aineroii  said    no  evidence 


had   b 


pro\(!  that  K.  M.  Wilson  was  n(»t  all  that  was  stated  in  April  when 
the  r(![)ort  was  made. 

Jlis  Lordshij)  decided  that  there  was  snlHcient  to  go  to  the 
jury  on  the  ([uestion  of  AVilson's  standing  even  on  the  2'Jth  of 
April. 

TIIK    DKI'KNCJK. 


I 


W.  T.  i'ridham  testified  that  ho  was  in  the  om^iloy  of  i)\iu, 
Wiinan  ifc  Co.  as  city  reporter  ;  remembered  getting  a  report  from 
J'h'iiest  Wilson  ;  called  at  ALi'.  Wilson's  store,  and  .saw  a  i)ers(jn 
whom  lie  believed  to  1)0  -Mr.  Wilson  ;  iiupiired  from  others  as  to 
the  verilication  of  Afr.  Wihon  ;  .speak  in  conlidence  to  all  jjai'ties 
doing  business  with  us  ;  believed  that  _Mr.  WilM»ii  wAn  speaking 
the  truth,  but  did  not  until  he  veritled  il. 

Jji/  Ml'.  lltiJimu:.  —  Have  been  foi'  the  ]>:i.-t  live  years  engaged 
in  the  Mercantile  Agency  Coni[)any  ;  Avas  an  occasional  I'tjxjrtor 
with  Murray,  Middlemiss  k,  Co.,  Aronlrcal  ;  had  iiu  previous  ac- 
(juaintance  with  J\Ii'.  AVibon  ;  knew  tin;  linn  was  about  di.-solving, 
and  went  to  get  particulars  ;  came  to  tlu;  conclusion  that  ho  was 
not  Worth  m<»re  than  ivoxw  S-'^OO  to  810"0  ;  ho  claimed  to  1)0 
worth  84"00  in  property;  did  not  ank  him  hh  hidchUtlinHH  ',  Ik; 
may  hasc  liad  some  cash  besides,  for  all  \  know  ;  dhl  not  axl:  tlieni. 
to  show  thctrhoolcH  ',  consulted  some  of  the  boot  and  shoe  maiiiifac- 


'IIIi:   SYSTKM    KXI'OSKI). 


151 


Hirers  (I 


Ik;  ( 


Its- 


III)  iiiil 


11(11  I'l  nil  III 


li<r  ii'/i 


mill.'  I  ruiiKii 


lliil  :    Mr.  lie 


w- 


V  lii'.-iih's  iiiv.-c 


h 


iiirr  ii'i  h'linii'- 


I:. 


ilsnii'  .s 


/iii/ii'/.^ 


son  wa-;  rcprH'tin^'  tuj-  tlic  cuiiii);!!! 

liiliji'  iif  ihi'  hIkh:.  iriiilr  ;   ],uiniii  iin/li'nii/  iihniif    \\ 

Ju/n'iii  /''"'/,  fxaiiiilicd,  .'■aid  -I  am  f;iii)»liivt;il  in  I)iiii,  NV'iiiiaii 
it  f 'o.'s  ;  !ia\'i;  l)('(;ii  In  tlioir  fiii])l(»y  for  (•i^■|lt,  vears  ;  liad  I(C(;n 
city  roportfi-  in  'I'oronto  in  Is*;."')  ;  I'lMiicnilK  r  jfcttin;^  report,  of  ^fr. 


W 


ilson  ill  that,  V(!ai' ;   ealle'l  on   Mr.  Wil.-on,  wlio.-iiil  l)ii-iii(!.-.s  was 


verv  trood 


lia'l  no   I'ea.-oii  to  (loiiM  Inni  ;   inaili-   tiirtliei-  ni'|iiifiu 


IS 


ainoii;^  tin;  \vliolc.-;al(;  slioc;  trade,  *'  Im prixnim il,   ";   was  nialdn^  n;- 
]iorts   of    other   liousiis   at  tlie    time;    lieard    iiotliiiii.^    air.'iin.-t  li 
credit. 

////  Mr.  />'' ///'///'■. --\Vas  not  the,  )-eii;ular   repuiler  at,  the  time; 
[Ka'foriiK.'d   l!ie  duties   of  city   repoi-ter   \'i<y  three   nioiitlis;  liad  a 


I  <•()()< 


1   i;-eii' r,d    kno\vl(;d''e  of  the   t 


rad(;s  of  th(;  city  ;  toM  me  lie 
liad  a  stock  of  SlOjODO  woi'tli,  liut;  coiihl  not  say  ;  rememl)er  hear- 
ing of  Wilson  I'lmiiin:^  away;  cduiat  ri:aiU  tli''  ikiiiu-  (if  Ihe j)ei'- 
fiOji,  'ii'Jio  tj(i/iu:  me  tlie  hifomyit'ion  y  liad  no  reason  to  he  suspicious 
of  Wilson. 


Thomit,    Houston,    (;,\amine(l,    stated    that    1 
)rt('r  of  the  linn  fd"   Dun.  Winian   i^c  Co.  ;  made  the 


le  was   a  citv   re 


])rope 


r  jii- 


(juiries ;  the,  business  was  incrc.'asing  slowly,  hut  from  other 
sources;  tin;  stock  looked  full  in  the  slajp  ;  it  was  the  leading 
ti'ad(j  in  town. 

/>//  .]//'.  JiifJnnv. —  David  Wilson  w.is  not  a  ]).irtner  at  th<! 
time  (A  my  visit;  tin;  firm  dainie'l  to  he  W(U-th  over  sTudO;  think 
he  claimed  himself  to  hi:  worth  .$7'H)()  ;  ])ut  him  down  at  between 
S.")(ii)()  imd  sf;ooO,  al.loiDuifj  for  coydirKjeniuen  /  iloiit  minnihir  v:/ic- 
iJiir  I  hi/i.ili',  a  ri'porl  or  not  of  the  clroxniHtawa  of   Wllmn  run- 

ll  I  iKj   <l  It'll  Ij. 

Jfennj  M:i{j'iitl. — \  am  a  re[)orler  for  .\>)\\\\  ^Fclvilloj)  it  (,'o.  ; 
a  sindlar  coin|iaiiy  to  that  of  the  defendant.-'  ;  J  niaile  n,  re[)ort  of 
I'].  ^^.  Wil>on  oil  the  Tth  April,  is".");  the  result  of  my  iiKiuiry 
was  favoi'ahle  ;  I  saw  E.  M.  AVil-on  personally  ;  I  looked  through 
the  stock  and  saw  the  in.-iiiiM,nce  papcri  he  held,  and  lie  i;-avo  mc  .'i 
statemcait  of  the  Iradi;  he  wns  doin^',  the  iii-iii-anrc,  and  the  rental 
he  was  payinif.  T  repfH'teil  liim  woi'ili  fmm  !S  lodo  to  sTjO'iu,  and 
his  stock  AvortJ.    s7"()')  ;  I    madi'    inquiries  from    others;  he    u[)- 


|)(!ared   to  lie   'J-ang  a   good  biisine 
s(U'ted. 


md  his  stock  was  "well  as- 


4 


;|| 


•rP 


li 


'*''d 

m 


5 


Vh 


1     ^'1 


i.   iT 


;    i 


■H 


152 


TIIH   COMMEKCIAL    AGEXCIKS. 


./>'/  J//'.  Jtrf/nnw. — I  liiivo  not  n  cupy  of  llio  J'i'jxirl  I  iiiiuU!  ; 
I  s]M)l<(i  Id  All',  J;i('(il)i  about.  Wilson  in  SciitLMiihcr,  lvS74  ;  it  wa.s 
the  iii'iii  thfii  ;  I  re[»orto(l  tlie  iiriu  woi'tli  from  sTono  to  !5lO,(X)U  ; 
oil  tli(!  April  i-('|)ort  I  tliouj^lit  lio  (AVilsoii)  jiad  a  stock  of  over 
$(!(HI0  ;  ]io  told  niu  lie  liad  ;  I  voxihl  not  ,sii\(tr  f/iat  I  Ui-iked  tvhat 
/lis'  debts  'iror,  but  I  reported  liim  AvortU  $JO(i()  {o  $5U(*0, 

This  was  llio  case. 

Ilis  Lordsliip  remarked  tluit  he  would  liold  tlie  action  to  be 
one  of  breach  of  contract,  and  lie  said  the  contract  mduM  be  that 
part  of  the  general  conditions  tliat  referred  to  tlio  obligation  of  the 
defendants  to  supply  information  to  the  suloscribers.  His  Lord- 
sh'p  asked  them  liow  they  were  to  estimate  the  daniage-j  under 
this  assumption. 

Mr.  Ijethuno  said  thcv  would  ask  iust  as  niucli  as  thev  had 
lost  by  the  sale  to  Wilson.  Tie  thought  they  should  recover  the 
whole  loss  or  merely  nominal  damages. 

Mr.  J.  II.  Cameron  said  lie  was  prepared  to  show  that  the 
•utmost  the  plaintiif  could  recover  were  nominal  damages.  In  the 
case  of  Kinghorii  tw,  Montreal  Telegraph  Co.,  18  U.  C.  Q.  15.,  he 
presented  a  case  where  his  contention  Avas  sustained,  and  that 
niori!  than  nominal  damages  could  not  be  assessed  ;  Stephenson  r.s". 
Monti'cal  Telegra})h  Co.,  K!  U.  C.  Q.  ll,  was  a  similar  case,  and  in 
which  the  decision  was  that  the  plaintiff  could  not  recover  unless 
there  was  fraud  in  the  delay  by  the  Company's  official  delivering 
the  message.  ]\[r.  Cameron  said  also  there  was  no  Iweach  of  the 
contract.  He  asked  again  if  the  i)laintifl:  liad  any  case  to  go  to 
the  jury. 

His  Lordship  answered  that  he  lliought  it  would  be  most 
])roper  to  allow  the  case  to  go  to  the  jury.  There  would  be  the 
single  issiu!  of  the  breach  of  contract,  hut  he  was  not  at  all  sure 
whether  Mr.  McLean  had  acted  with  reasonable  care,  lie  said  it 
would  ho  hcttcr  to  place  the  matter  in  a  specilie  niaiinei'  heforc 
the  jury  ])y  asking  their  answers  to  the  two  (juestions  : 

L  Did  the  defendants,  who  are  persons  oigaged  in  the  ]\rLi-- 
cantile  Agency  business,  furnish  to  the  best  of  their  ability  infor- 
mal ion  to  the  plaintiir  of  the  standiii;;-  and  credit  of  Ernest  M. 
Wilson  2 

2.  Did  the  plaintiff  act  as  an  ordinarily  prudent  man  in  not 
making  any  further  in(}uiries  in  view  of  the  fact  that  AVilsou  re- 


THE   SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


163 


silled  and  caiTit;d  on  biisiiit'ss  in  liis  iininudiafe  ni'i_i,dd)orlu)()d,  and 
wa-<  well  known,  in  \\\r.  fitv,  and  that  the  >'(>(,ids  Avero  not  furnished 
for  a  fortni^;'l>t  after  the  applieation  ? 

^Ir.  .1.  II.  Cameron  addrc.-sed  the  jiirv,  reniarkini,'  that  thoy 
■would  have  nuthini^  to  do  wirli  fi^qu'es,  as  tliat,  by  arrangement 
between  eoun.sel,  had  l)een  withdrawn  from  the  (juestion.  l)Ut 
tliey  Avould  have  to  deeide  npoii  a  matter  that  Ava.s  of  as  great 
conseqneiK'C  to  the  mercantile  ageneies  as  to  the  pnblie.  And 
although  these  agencies  had  been  iti  existence  for  about  forty 
years,  there  was  not  a  case  n-ported  in  tlie  courts  that  could  1)0 
called  an  examide,  except  the  one  cited  by  ^ir.  .l»etliune,  which 
was  the  English  case  he  mentioned.  Mr,  Cameron  said  this  case 
was  not  a  contract  of  guarantee.  Tlie  question,  Did  the  defen- 
dants give  information  to  the  best  of  their  ability  ?  was  what  they 
would  have  to  consider.  After  a  rccapitnlatio!i  of  the  evidence 
and  a  statement  of  the  case,  Mr.  Cameron  laid  down  the  proposi- 
tion that  if  the  Company  gave  all  the  information  they  possessed 
at  the  time,  they  had  done  their  duty  ;  and  lie  said  the  Company 
had  done  this.  Further,  Mr,  Cameron  said  it  could  not  l)e  ex- 
pected that  these  agencies  should  be  held  to  such  a  strict  account 
as  was  sought  to  be  imposed  on  them  in  this  case,  and  that  all  that 
could  be  expected  of  them  was  a  fair  report  of  the  individual  at 
the  moment  when  they  were  asked. 

Mr.  Eetluine,  addres-ing  t'lc  jury,  observed  that  many 
people  thought  these  agencies  were  not  advantageous  to  trade,  and 
it  was  a  (piestion  on  which  tlio  mercantile  public  were  divided 
whether  they  should  be  tolerated  at  all. 

The  law  would  not  look  at  the  question  of  consideration, 
based  upon'  the  amount  paid  by  the  plaintiff;  illustrated  by  the 
exauiple  of  an  accident  insurance  policy,  where  a  mere  trifle 
would  yield  a  large  sum  1)ack  in  case  of  accident.  That  tlicy  have 
not  been  sued  before  is  no  argument  not  to  deal  fairly  with  the 
(picstion.  Tluit,  if- they  escape  scot-free  now,  will  be  an  argument 
and  an  inducement  for,  perhaj)>.  greater  carelessness  tlian  hereto- 
fore, and  greater  risk  to  the  subscribers.  .VU  the  i)laintiif -asked 
tliS  defendants  to  perform  was  to  give  a  fair  report.  Tt  was.casy 
to  see  the  p'wer  and  facility  the  c<im|»any  possessed.  It  was  in  the 
]^ower  oL  this  company  lo  puff  any  man,  to  I'ate  him  highly,  ah'd 
p!ac3  him  abuve  suspicion;  and  it  was  in  their  power  also  to  blast 


n 

h 

.'J 


m 


!.-t 


ill 


imW 


1   I  ay 

1)4  fr  J 


u 


'  -ri 


m 


'4m 


r 


l.Vl 


TIIK    CO,\I.MKi;fI.\r-    AGKN-CIKS. 


:Vf 


any  man's  pi'fi.-yicct.i  ami  rciiiilation.    In  tlii.sca.MM!i<.'  lii'.-t  i'c]ii)ii  tliry 
mailc  (if    Wilr-nn  wa.-.  not,  corrccl,  If  alnm.^t,  Ik;  liail   liccn  the  nioht 


mni'.t,   man    in   tlic   (-ommnnil  \ ,  afti  r   all    tin'    (iiiinu'tainit  ics    tin 


y 


had   of  makinir  imjuirics.      It,   was  ,^ai 


il    tliaf,    Mr.  McL  -ail    initrht 


ha\  (;  mailr  in(|nii'ics  hiiii.-(  If,   hut  it  was  not,   to  Ik;  mi])|)o,-c(|    lliiit 
Mr.  Mcl.can  wonid  ha\<!  h((  n  .'ati.-ficl  that;  Ik;  conhl   hiiow,  or  tret, 


to  l\now,  in  any  \va\-,  as  mucli  alion 


t,  Wih 


on  .'1   l)n>nic.-s   lis'  anv  m- 


<|wiii(s  h(!  conhl  mal<(;  as  the  ;\;^('Mcy,  with  all  their  means  of  pro 
in(jtiii<^  inquiries,  eouh!  (Jo.  Mr.  Ilethnne  jiroeeodefl  to  .'•■ho'A'  the 
Jini(jiiiit  of  stoek  that  Wilson  had  i'0('(ji\ed  and  owned  at  any  time, 
iiiul  idl  tli(!  sfo(.'k  li(!  liad  ht'Oii  possessed  of,  and  to  prosa;  that,  lio 
eoidd  ]iot  lia\'e  had  IIk;  fpiantity  of  stoek  that  was  credited  to  him 
hy  the  A |^(;ncy.      'I'he  o|)<'i'aMons  (d"    tla;  i'i'jiort(;rs   lA'   IIk;    Agency 

le  sort  that  entitleil  them  to  eonli- 


wcrc  (.•latHMoed  as  not  Jiemii'  o 


(loiicc.  'I'hero  were  in,*  [)ai'ticnlar  imjuiries,  and  no  V(trilication  of 
the  unswf'rs  fiiv(ii  ]>y  any  oik;  peiMai  hy  answers  of  another,  ^^r. 
I'ethmie  a.-ked  the,  jury  to  infei' that  the  rejxjri.M's  liad  f(;rii;ott(;n 
ah'  ahont  the  matt(;r,  and  that  really  no  ini|niries  had  heeii  made; 
at  all.  ^J'he  enti'ies  in  the  Agency  hook,  too,  wei'i;  not  asstirin;^  as 
far  as  Ihey  (-(juld  be  ascertained,  eithei'  for  their  oivler  or  for  their 
correctness.  It  appeared,  indeed,  that  the  i\^ency  had  not  made 
their  iiifpiiric.s  at  tlio  veiy  ])laceH  where  they  mi;^lit  liave  learned 


jnost,  and  w  hei'(!   common-sense  woiu 


as'e    |)oint(;i|    as    the    he-st 


.soun;(!s   (d    iiiloi'mation. 


Wilson's   stock    and   j>roperty    in    A 


prii 


HI  a 


conld  not  exceed  a,  value  of  §10(iu.      It  was  shown   that   In;  h 
balance  at  the  hank  indeed,  but  tin;  amount  at  IIk;  hank  was  made; 


11 


le  saif'S 


mad(;  ut  unction.     The   comj)any  said    I  hey   did   not 


know  that  h(;  was  selliiiif  o(T  the  stock  at  a  saci'ifico  in  an  aiiction- 
j'oom  ;  hut  a  niimbei-  of  j)ri\ate  ])ers'*ns,  nuirchants  in  the  <;i<y, 
knew  all  about  this.  It  was  the  blame  of  tin;  Kervunts  of  the 
company  ;  but  it  should  not  hi;  a:ikeil  that  .Mr.  Nfckean  should 
siiifei"  for  these  servant>'  mi.-take-.  And  when,  two  weeks  aftei" 
he  trot  a  certilication  of  the  character  ainl  standinir  "f  this  man 
Wilson,  Mr.  ]\rcLean  'j;-a\('.  him  a  cre<lit,  a  few  days  only  l^jfore  he 
ran  awav,  it  was  surely  not  too  much  to  exjiect  that  the  defend- 
ants f-hoidd  conij)ensati'  him  for  the  loss  he  had  sustained  by  their 

in 
on- 


ncirli^'t'nec,'.  'Then,  if  th<!  defendants  re|)udiated  their  r^ontract 
this  case,  a  certain  insult  would  he  that  the  juiblic  woiiM  lost,-  ( 
lidcnce  in  them,  and  i-ecpiire  to  jnake  a  safer  eonti-act  w  ith  the 


in. 


'JMK   SYSTEM    KXl'OSKI). 


L«;ii 


Ti'l  r<-:jiiirc  ,irri;il''i' f(-rf;iiiity  ill   tlu;   iiil'iH'iii.itinii   tlicy  jirfti^ii'l  \' 
ivc.      I'or  it  u'c'is  r'!(;iir  tlial,    tlic    rc|)rcM|it;iti()ii.-i  iiiaili!  ii|m)|i  W'il 


KOll  S  cIl.'llMrtcr  Illl'l    hll>lllC-,i   W 

ll 


vvi'  Hot  true.      IIi;  v.niiM  n'[ic,it  tli;it 
f 


till!  \;iliic  ol  tli(S(;  in.stillllKiMS  wiiH  UK!  (lc^r(;(;  ol  care,  tfivcii  to   tlii! 

II.! 


)(;f: 


infonuiitiDii  tlwy  pi'ofcs-cil  to  iiU'onl  to  their  siilj.^eril 
cli^sod  by  .'isl<iii:^  !i  venlict  for  tli(!  [diiintiir  on  liotli  the  (jiic.stioiis 
that  wci'o  ,siihiiiil,to(l  to  them.  TIk!  whohj  system  of  iiicrfaiitil(! 
.'i^eiiey  was  today  on  its  trial,  ami  th(;ir  verdict  woiihl  itd  far  to 
enforce  a  closer  iii.-|iectioii  hy  the  rejiortors  and  oflicials  in  fheso 
(jdiee.-.  If  they  allowed  thi.s  to  f^o  it  wijiild  he  a  ,-te[)  towards 
iiiakiny;  the.-e  atreiicie'S  iiiei'e  olHccs  for  hlackniailiiiL'  the  c(;Miiiier- 
cial  coniiiiunity. 

His    Loi'i|.-hi|)    -aid   th(!ca>e  involved    a  niiniher  of  ijiie-tioiis 


of  dillicnltv, 


1)111 


thi'V  had  heen    instriiclecj    in    tlio-e   that  were  ti 


ho  decid(;'l  hy  them.  He  ])ointed  out  what  thi!  diitit;s  of  the  de- 
fendant.-; were  v.hicl)  they  had  iindei'take'ii  to  (;.\(;ciite.  And  it 
was  only  jii-l,  to  mention,  too,  that  Wilson  had  not  heen  dfialiiii^ 
nuicli  with  any  of  the  wln^lcsale  merchants  liero.  lie  ma.h:  llie.su 
remarks  as  to  the  ,-taiidinii;  of  Wilson  and  th(!  f.icility  the  defend- 
ants had  of  makinn'  an  iicciirate  re]»ort,  of  Wilson's  hiisinc,>s.  1'his 
rej)ort,  1 1  is  Lonl-lii])  did  not  hesitate  to  .say,  as  his  o|>inion,  was 
not  correct ;  and  he  thought  ther<!  were  .still  av(;niies  of  inlVn'nia- 
tion  hy  which  u  more  correct  n;port  iniifht  li.'ivo  ])een  ohtaincd  hy 
the  defemlants,  aiid,  if  a  kiiowlod,i:^(!  of  the  sales  at  auction  had 
hetui  in  jio-scs.-iioii  of  the  company,  thi'V  would  certainly  have  hei/n 
at  fault  if  tlu^y  had  not  re[)orted  tliat  kiiowledtre.  to  Mr.  Mid. can. 
His  Lor(lshi[)  rc'.ad  ])as.<a^n;s  of  the  evidence  to  sf i'(!n;,4hen  th(!  idea 
that  tlieiv;  had  hecin  a  r(;ini.-.-,nes  >  in  tin;  coni[>any  in  oht.ainiiiLj^  in- 
tlie  r;ominerciuI  v.aliK;  of  K.  y\.  Wilson,  and    in    not 


loll    Ol 


o.-se.-S','( 


1  no  aptitude  for  hn.-ines-.     The  evideii 


format 

iioticinu'  that  he  p 
of  IIh!  employees  was  not  satisfactory;  they  could  n(jt,  ti-H  Jiow 
they  got  their  information  e.vactly.  with  the  e.\c;'plion  of  om'  who 
t-aid  lie  li.ad  communicateil  with  ^Ir.  .jacohi.  And  if  they  took 
their  information  from  Wilson's  comniiiiiication  alone,  they  wi'rc 

illop',,    reporter  gave    evidcjiic*;,    it 
of  the  defendant-,  hiit  the 


not  doinu'  all  their  dutv.      .M(dv 


liad  to  lie  rei 


nendiei'i'd,  similar  to  tl 


jury  would  coii.-idei'  whether  he  had  made  sidiicieiit  iiMj'.iiric'S  as 
well,  hefore  th(,'y  would  (let(;rmine  (ni  its  v.alue.  Hi-,  Lord-liip 
then  glanced  at  the  (piestion  of  Avhether   the   plaintilF   had   acted 


It 


J.i'  ■ 

II  ir 


Ml 


1 


hi 


m 


.  it'^p, 


'ihlr 


UJM, 


J   ■' 


i*. 


150 


THK  COMMKllCIAL  agi;n'cik^<. 


\vltli  oi'diiiuiy  }»ni(len('c'  in  ;ic('i'j)tiiig  the  iiiforiiiutioii  and  acting 
oil  it  witlioiit  making  any  inquiries  on  lii.s  own  part. 

Tlic  jtiiy  tlion  retired. 

The  jnry  retnrned,  after  a  slioi't  aljsence,  with  a  verdict  fur 
the  plaintill",  being  an  answer  to  the  lirst  (]iie.sliun  in  tin;  negative, 
and  to  the  second  ({ucstion  in  the  alHrmative.  Jlis  Lordshijj  re- 
corded a  verdict  for  the  ainonnt  chiiiiied. 

The  local  opinion  on  this  verdict  is  also  of  great  importance. 
AVe  append  two  editorials  from  the  O'loOe  and  Jla/'l  respectively 
niuler  date  December  lUh,  IS"."). 


[ /)(tUi/  (I'/iiljc — Toronto.] 


MCUCAX    VS.    l)l\,    AVIMAX    &    CO. 


l\ 

,t 
.'■- 

ii*t 

i 

*. 

i 

r 

a 

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n 

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^■ 

}'"^ 

Tlic  verdict  rendered  in  tliis  case  yesterday  by  a  petty  jury  in 
the  Toronto  Assize  Court  (ijfpcars  to  atrlke  a  'cery  aouoas  Uoio  at 
the  cxideuce  of  the  corMiici'vldl  ansoc  kit  Ions  known  as  Mkkcantilk 
Agknciks.  Mr.  McLean,  a  liigldy  respectable  and  extensive  dealer 
in  leather,  in  this  city,  was  applied  to  in  April  last  by  Mr.  E.  M. 
AVilson,  then  a  shoe-dealer  in  King  street,  to  ^supply  him  (Wilson) 
with  a  (jnantity  of  leather.  IMr.  McLean  was  a  snhscril)er  to  tlie  Mer- 
cantile Agency  of  Dim,  AV^iman  &  Co.,  and  entitled  to  obtain  from 
them  from  time  to  time  rejH>rts  as  to  the  solvency  of  parties  pi;r- 
chasing  from  them  on  credit,  for  the  consideration  of  seventy-five 
dollars  ^>cv  annum.  Mr.  McLean  accordingly  applied  to  Dim, 
AVimaii  tfc  Co.  for  a  report  as  to  the  standing  of  ]\[r.  AVilson ;  and, 
having  received  a  favorable  reply,  sold  $.500  worth  of  leather,  or 
thereby,  to  that  person.  In  July  following  AVilson  absconded, 
and  Mr.  McLean  lost  his  money.  Mr.  J\[cLean  thereupon  com- 
menced suit  against  Dun,  AViman  t*c  Co.  for  the  amount  of  his 
loss,  not  alleging  for  a  moment  any  want  of  good  faith  on  the 
part  of  the  agency,  or  that  different  information  from  that  given 
Avas  in  possession  of  the  Agency  or  its  employees,  but  simply  on 
the  ground  that  its  report  was  erroneous,  and  that  the  Agency  had 
not  used  due  diligence  in  obtaining  information.  The  jury  sus- 
tained Air.  McLean  in  this  pretension,  and  gave  a  verdict  against 
Dun,  AA''iman  &  Co.  for  the  full  amount  of  his  loss,  Sr)00. 

In  the  examination  of  witnc>ses  it  was  brouirht  out  that  some 
parties  were  aware,  previous  to  AVilson's  absconding,  that  he  was 


:,M 


'iiiM  svs'i'KM  r;xi'()si;i). 


15T 


l!i 


it  Wdi'tliv  111    ci'odil  ;  and  that    if   huii.  W'iiiian  iV    ( 'u.  liad  y'oii 


to  ci'i'taiii  |)ar 


ti(s  f« 


ir  iiit'di'inatiiiii,  tlicv   would   lia\(,'  luariiod  mucli 


iiiiirr  al'iiiit   him  tliaii  thcv  tnM  tn  yiv.  ^^(•l-^aIl 
i^  i^:  ^  ^i  ^  i> 


<«• 


w 


I  '/'/((■    Mi'i'. — 'I'liniiiiD.  I 


I.IAHIMI  V    (iK    MKKC  AN  TII.i;    A(ii:.\l  IK-;. 

The  ('as(^  of  ^[(d.caii  /'v,  huii,  Wiiiiau  i*^  ( 'o.,  wliich  has  oocu- 
plrd  the  attt'iitidii  of  thr  Assizo  Court  for  tlio  last  two  day.-J,  -was 
('(tiic'ludod  yesterday ;  a  vci'dict  boing  re^iinu.'d  for  tlic  plaiiitilT  for 
tlie  aiiudint  of  daman'os  claiiiied,  (iubjoct  ti)  cortain  coiisldoratioiis 
r('.»('rvc'(l  for  tlie  i'u\[  Court.  Two  (jucstions  wero  left  to  tho  jury, 
as  will  he  seen  in  our  re[)(jrt  of  tlio  ease,  and  hotli  wuvo  answered 
in  favoi-  of  the  j)laiiitilT.  The  juiy  iu  point  of  fact  have  detor- 
mineil  that  Dun,  AVinian  iV  Co.  did  not  use;  duo  diligeiieo  wlieii 
they  _nM\(f  a  favorable  report  of  AVilson'.s  standing,  and  that  i^Fr. 
McLean  was  perfectly  justified  iurelyini:;  sok^ly  on  the  Company's 
statement.  The  mercantile  community  will  bo  glad  to  hear  that 
even  thus  far  the  ease  is  in  favor  of  their  riglits.  They  are 
dragiKiU(  (1  into  subscribing  to  these  agencies,  and  the  least  they 
can  ex[iect  is  that  tho  iufoi'mation  i-eceived  is  so  accurate!  that  it 
may  be  safely  acted  on.  The  Court  above  will  havo  to  decide 
whether  the  ])laintiir  can  r(>ally  recover  more  than  nominal 
damams,  and  even  if  tho  so-called  ]\rercanlilo  jVm-ncv  should 
succeed  in  esea))ing  the  heavier  penalty,  it  and  kindred  institu- 
tions Avill  have  been  taught  a  useful  lesson.  The  jiopidarity  of 
these  agencies  is  on  tho  wane,  and  niorcliants  are  Ijoginning  to 
tjuoto  the  long  list  of  failures  whicli  have  occurred  in  direct 
contradiction  of  agencies'  reports  and  liierogly])hics.  There  is 
something  un-nritisli  and  repugnant  to  most  right-thinking  men 
in  a  system  of  espionage  that  has  become  a  huge  iNFercaiitilo 
Jncpiisition,  by  no  means  infallible,  and, it  now  a])])ears,  not  always 
\ery  careful  of  the  way  in  which  it  coiulucts  its  in(]nirie--.  As  a 
matter  of  fact,  tho  cases  are  few  in  which  private  inepiiry  will  not 
discover  all  a  merchant  wants  to  know  of  a  ])nrchaser  sccldr.g 
credit.  Kcw  customers  arc  bought  at  too  high  a  jn-ice  whose 
standing  has  to  be  certified  by  an  Agency.  Tlio  system  of  cre<lit 
in  ly  thereby  be  inlinitely  extended  ;  but  old  firms  will  ti'll  you  a 
much  safer  business  was  done  before  this  new-fan<>'led  system  camo 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WE'STER.N.Y    14580 

(716)  872-4503 


168 


THE   COMMKUCIAIi   AGEN'CIES. 


Into  oppratiftn.  AVitlioiit  impugninp^  tlio  homf  Jule.^  (<(  lliis  parti- 
cular Agoiicy,  wo  are  of  (jpinioii  that  cullectivcly  <jiiitjj  as  inufli 
liarm  as  good  lias  resulted  to  those  lueivhaiits  who  have  Iteeii 
gatifiiod  to  take  a  customer's  ''rating"  as  conclusive  evidence  of 
his  worth.  Of  some  other  as8ociati<»ns  f'inned  f(ir  the  purpose 
of  enlightening  the  trading  ])nl»lie  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that 
they  are  merely  snares  and  dehksions  got  up  for  the  jirofit  of 
their  promoters. 


I 


7'  I 


i 


The  great  signiiicance  of  this  case  justilios  us  in  calling  special 
attention  to  two  or  three  points  not  dwelt  on  at  any  length  by 
counsel.  ^McLean  was  a  subscriber  fur  ten  years,  at  the  yearly 
cost  of  875.  ]Io  had,  therefore,  j)aid  8""'0  to  the  Agencies 
■when  lie  lost  his  bill  against  AVilson,  in  addition.  This  is  n(»t  a 
consolatory  or  exceptional  exjterience. 

The  McKillop  it  Spraguc  (\».  is  caught  in  the  legal  trap  as 
Avcll  as  Dun,  AVinian  S:  Co.  X('ith<i'  knew  the  true  condition  of 
Wilson  vhen  it  reported  him  ;  their  clerks  did  not  even  a^k  him 
how  much  he  owed  ;  they  failed  to  examine  his  books  or  look  into 
his  empty  boxes,  and  a  jnry,  in  iinding  Dun,  "Wiman  ct  Co.  guilty 
of  gross  negligence,  has  really  passed  on  evidence  sufficient,  if  nn- 
explai:;-Kl,  to  mulct  the  rival  Agency  if  the  contract  had  been 
with  it.  The  "  institutions,''  as  they  like  to  term  themselves,  may 
not  allow  their  clerks  to  associate  with  each  other  or  exdianire 
opliuons:  but  it  is  (piite  apparent  that  the  young  gentlemen  of 
both  establishments  are  very  much  alike  in  industry  and  business 
acumen. 

Whatever  way  we  look  at  this  ^[cLeau  case,  its  effect  cannot  be 
exaggerated.  The  System,  instead  of  compromising  it  at  the  start 
according  to  custom,  relied  on  achieving  a  success  on  account  of 
the  two  special  features — McLean's  ]>ropin(piity  to  tlu;  buyer  and 
the  buyer's  fraudulent  absconding.  The  former  fact,  it  was  hoped, 
would  raise  the  presumption  of  contributive  negligence  in 
McLean;  the  latter,  as  the  residt  of  'iiitda  Jf</>-^  rather  than  finan- 
cial insolvency  alone,  was  relied  on  to  relieve  atrainst  mere  contract 
damages.  Had  the  Agency  any  doubt  whatever  of  victoiy  it 
would  willingly  have  ])ai<l  up;  so  that  the  residt  may  be  taken  as 
a  success  over  them  in  their  own  selected  field,  and  against  large 
and  unusual  legal  odds. 


TUE  SYSTEM   LXl'OSED. 


159 


CTIAPTEPt  XX. 

THE  BEST  MEANS  OF  REnrriN(}  THE  DAN'OER  EIl()>r  THE  IN- 
Ql'ISITIOX— ( "OH IlESPON DENTS  HEIIINI)  A  MASK— WHAT  MEIi- 
niANTS  TFIINK  OF  THE  NEED  OF  (TIAN<iE— FUEE  TALKERS 
ABOUT   OTHERS   SlllE   TO   BE   BUOUOHT   TO   TASK. 

AVi;  come  to  the  (luestion,  How  filial}  the  opposition  to  the 
AgeTU'v  system  ilml  full,  elTective,  and  llttinL?  expression  i 

Half  the  force  of  the  a<^itation  ai^ainst  an  evil — \vc  had  almost 
said  all — is  found  in  the  fMjtthut  its  movers  have  not  alone  argu- 
ments to  convince,  but  also  measures  of  correction  to  advance. 
The  practical  value  of  any  iind  every  opposition  to  the  Agency 
system  must  suljmit  to  this  test ;  and  if,  while  the  wrongs  com- 
mitted Ity  the  system  are  conceded,  no  method  bo  proi)oscd  to  re- 
move them,  or,  wanting  method,  there  be  no  indcpendeui  means 
adojited  for  their  repression,  it  will  matter  little,  in  the  end, 
whether  the  whole  scheme  of  trafVic  in  men's  reputations  fur  ])er- 
sdual  benetit  shall  hiv  ;  Ijecn  approved  or  reprobated  by  the  public. 
In  this  connection,  a:>  in  most  others,  faith  without  works  avails 
not ;  and  he  is  the  best  reformer  who,  having  demonstrated  tlu; 
necessity  of  reform,  goes  on  and  illustrates  the  most  diri!ct  means 
of  its  accomplishment. 

Our  I'IKST  proposition  is  a  ])lain  one.  Xo  honest  man  can 
support  the  system  believing  it  to  be  noxious  an<l  dangerous. 
Our  sr.coxi)  one  is  a  natural  corollary  to  the  other.  Xo  sincere 
man  can,  having  the  same  belief,  omit  to  liccomt!  actively  a.itago- 
nistie  to  it.  What,  then,  should  a  sincen!  and  honest  opjionent  of 
the  system  do  to  illustrate  his  faith  and  bring  forth  fruit  i 

In  the  first  place,  such  a  man  sliould  c.'asc  using  the  system  at 
the  earliest  possil>le  inon)ent,  or  least  (if  we  must  adapt  our 
sense  of  duty  to  the  average  of  business  moralities)  at  the  close  of 
his  present  sul)scriptit)n.  Even  if  he  avoiil  selling  on  its  estimates, 
he  owes  it  to  himself,  as  a  conscientious  man,  to  withdraw  his  8uj>- 
port  from  an  institution  on   which  his  own  opinio!!  has  already 


I 

it 

1 

I 


iff 


..t 


'i 


iV 


II 


11 


160 


TIIK   COMMEUCIAL   AP.KN'CIES. 


l)af'SO(l  jii(l<;iiu'iil.  If  lie  ('((iitimu;  piiviiiir  lor  prrtciidcil  iiifonn.i- 
liiiii  oil  wliicli  lie  cannot  or  i\i>{s  not  rely,  lie  is  nicrely  liiidiMi;-  liis 
nanie  and  means  to  the  |ieri>et nation  of  an  exacting'  and  iiiiscrinin- 
lotis  eoniliination  a:^ain.»t  tin-  [>ur>e.s  and  reputation-  of  other  men, 
and  tlierehy  nnikin<^  liiinself  a  i>artv  to  wliahjver  of  \vron_ii'  or  in- 
justieo  may  be  done  to  them.  He  may  besatislled,  for  peace's  sake 
or  a  hoped-for  beneiit,  to  stand  a  yearly  loss  of  subscription  ;  but 
docs  he  not  owe  sometliint;'  to  the  el!i?-s  to  wliieh  he  bidon;,'s,  and 
."hould  he  not  be  ready  to  resent,  reprove,  and  repress  any  and 
every  lla^'rant  assault  on  lionordile  tradin;.-;  so  far,  at  least,  as  his 
(Avu  contribiitive  example  may  i^o?  "We  lay  itdown  as  a  true  ride 
of  commercial  honor,  that  no  one  xhonlil  coiuifi namr  'm  itnollur 
cctn  trfiicJi  lie  K'diihl  not inrfoi'in  h'intxdf. 

I'csides  refusiiiir  to  bear  the  vearlv  tax  of  subscriiilinn  and 
lJ(.'fereiu-e  IJook  buying,  our  merchants  should  studiously  avoid 
aiding  the  parasitic  appliances  of  Collection  I'lireaiix  ad<led  to 
the  system,  and  acting  as  feeders  to  if.  K\c'n  if  the  ( Ia<>itication 
of  a  trader's  doubtful  debts  for  i)urposes  of  colli', -tiou  and  turning 
over  to  the  Agencies  bad  no  depreciatory  elfcct  on  the  ti-ader's 
own  standing  as  a  careful  credit -giver,  he  must  see,  in  a  moment, 
tliat  the  Agencies'  attorneys  are  not  apt  to  be  elHcient.  in  any  liti- 
gated eases,  against  tlio  generally  more  competent  lawyers  who 
will  be  found  retained  by  the  defence.  Is  it  to  b;-  lielieved  that 
the  Agencies' creature  will  exert  all  his  energies  against  ;;n  Agency 
su])j)orter,  or  that  the  Agencies  would  encourage  him  to  jircss  col- 
lections for  a  small  percentage  wluii  the  withdrawal  of  .subscrii)- 
lions  may  reasonably  be  ex[)ected  to  induce  a  much  greater  loss 
than  any  possible  i)roiit  so  obtained^  ]>ut  even  if  his  utmost 
ability  were  seriously  exerted,  what  so:'urity  can  a  creditor  have 
for  prompt  returns  from  a  person  cajiable  of  the  personal  mean- 
ness of  giving  np  his  time  to  double  service  as  an  iinpohl  spy  and 
\\. poorhj-p(ud  lawyer?  If  he  exacted  a  silary  from  the  Ageiu-ies, 
even  that  fact  would  indicate  a  certain  amount  of  moral  stamina, 
and  ji  certain  respect  for  his  professional  calling  ;  but,  being  either 
too  weak  lo  impose  terms,  or  too  eagi'r,  from  want,  to  secure  even 
Vi  pittance  of  agreed  compensation,  he  is  certainly  more  amenable 
to  temptation  than  his  more  independent  and  self-asserting 
brethren. 

A  TiiiKD  means  of  decreasing  the  evil  elfeets  of  the  Agencies 


li!i 


TiiK  svsTE^^  F.xi'osr.i), 


in  I 


is  tlie  very  Kimplo  OHO  of  not  ai)|)l_viin;  to  tliem  fur  inrorinatioii. 
We  have  siiown  that,  acconliiii;  to  their  own  statenioiits,  they  can- 
not really  tell  whetl\cr  or  not  any  biiii^le  tradiT  is  i^ood  lor  any 
single  transaetion.  Of  wli<it  ften't(k%  (/i>  n,  rim  anij  Ktufi  niiiif  i>f  lil'< 
(iji'iiii'H  ]H'in'i'  inliii'h  (foit  )n>f  ijo  ti>  tlw.  t:iicnf  "f  j>i.sf)fi/iii<i  a  sin- 
<ff  hiii'ij<n)i  ?  Indeed,  must  it  not  he  more  calculated  to  hilf  iiso- 
fid  in(|uiry  than  to  .s->ii///<sf  cauti(jn  '.  If  a  trader  exercisi  onlinary 
jiri'.dence  he  ean  form  iv  fresli  opinion  himself  hased   on   the  most 


recent  available   information  ;  hut    if    he   trust  ever 


little    to 


ALToncy  I'eports,  ho  is  sure  to  judije  from  evideiu-e  incoherent  in 
itself,  in  almost  every  instaiu'i',  of  duhious  !iire,  and  of  duhioiis 
oriixin.  Of  what  value,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  is  an  o|)inion  six 
months  old  i  Why  should  any  man  j>art  with  his  jfoitds  on  the 
strenjfth  of  it,  Avhon  the  Agencies  confess  their  own  want  of  couli- 
dcnce  in  it  hy  sMpulating  against  any  lial)ility   for   imparting  it  ? 


Ihit 


over  au( 


lal 


)ove  a 


11  t 


lese  consu 


lerat  i 


i(»us,  have  we   not  sliown 


that  thcM>tem  is  the  natural  parent  of  constantly-aggravating  errors 
and  misrepoi'ts'^ 

A  ForuTM  means  of  lessening  the  ill  elTects  of  the  Agencies 
wonhl  he  p.-rslstent  refusal  to  supply  them  with  nnpaid-for  infor- 
mation. Why  should  not  a  merchant  impart  whatever  he  may 
lind  m.'cessary  or  \iseful  (lira-fli/  to  ilw  jn  i\si>ii  or  jn /•■'<'iih'<  f/'oi/i, 
ii'Iioiii   //'•.si'il-sc/'cillf/    Already  this  is  done  in  the  vast   majority 


case 


au( 


I   Ih 


le   credit-giver   is  accustonuMi  to   Avrilt;   down  the 


.-talenirnt  or  to  carrv  it  m    his  miiK 


II 


e  can    lia\t'  it  vcn 


tied 


or 


col 


ifuled  l(y  telegraph  or  h'tter  with'n  a  short   time — within 


liort    or   shorter   time  than  the  Agencies 


Th 


'v  must   mijuire 


specially,  at  his  special  ex[)ensc,  if  ho  insist  on  the  latest  attaiuahlo 


ni. 


irs.       ^'/'''y  7ilif'sf  (hal  O'Uli  (I  r<ij iiiifirr    iiiijhiid 


•tt/'fr.yiiiii'/c/l 


(I'll I)    //I SOS' 


As'  oil  lct'j>lii'j  h'ltiiid  ii  hoisj,-.  TIk!  merchant,  on  the 
other  hand,  can  impiire  from  otlu'r  mercliant^  of  known  stamlini:-, 
whoso  answers  would  bo  intinitely  preferalih',  and  whos(>  >tale- 
nients,  if  knowingly  erroneous  and  not  eoupleil  M'ith  reser\atioiis, 
niiglit  even  ho  followed  by  legal  recourse,  on  lit  occasion,  l>e.>ides 
insuring  kiu>wn  channels  of  inform:ition,  this  jiractice,  if  geuerallv 
adopted,  would  also  leave  the  wlioh;  non-cre(lii  seeking  mass  of 
traders  free  from  even  the  i)ossibilitv  of  i)einir  injm-eil  in  character 
or  standing  within  their  selfdimited  lines  ami  methods  of  trade. 
The  credit-seeker  would  nut  he,  euuld  nut  be,  aware  of  the  course 


j<;2 


TIIK   COMMKUCIAI-   A(;KNC[KS. 


11 


i 


.i   , 


M : 


of  iiKjiiirv  Ixforcliaiid,  mikI  tlii'ivfoi'o  coiiM  nut  imtici|i;if('  it.  Tic 
iiiii^Iit  rely  uii   a  i^ood   report   from   liis  iieii^'lihorliood   if   he  had 

earned  :i  j; 1  i'e]nit:itioi'.     If  he  had  not  earned  it,  or  the  matter 

■were;  in  doiiht,  h(!  could  jiersoiialiy  convince  the  crecHt-^ivcr  of  any 
injustice  done  him,  and  indicate  llie  direction  from  which  inju- 
rious i-emarLs  nii<;ht  liave,  or  mii^ht  he  expected  to  liave,  come. 
In  every  event,  he  wouhl  have  the  <h>uhlo  satisfaction  of  l<nowirt<^- 
thai  his  Iiusines.s  alfairs  were  only  laid  hare  to  a  pirson  riifhtfuliy 
interi>ste<l  in  them,  and  that  he  merely  had  one  or  more  known 
merchants  to  satisfy  instead  of  the  same  numher  supplemented  hy 
th(!  lo(is(;  ixnesses  of  a  secret  series  of  anonymous  corrispondents, 
juvenile  clerks,  needy  credit-raters,  ctr  vaijue-writinij  mana<;ers. 


A  iiFin    meai>s   of   correctiui;   the '  lirowini; 


r    wroii; 


.f    tl 


le 


iXijjency  system  wouhl  he  the  prompt  recjuest,  monthly,  of  every 
jicr^on  whose  name  appears  in  the  J'ouks  f<^  f«'it/i<'  fcfiuf  I'ljuti't  on 


"Iticli  !'  i\  hitfiiil.      If  the  Agencies  refuse  to  show  it,  in  t/i 


W  OI'KII- 


nnl  recofdy  hi><>l\  (DkI  jitnji',  to  the  api)licant,  ho  may  rely  that  it  is 
lil)ellous,  ;!nd  sliduld  secure  coimsi'l  who  could  either  cause  the 
name  to  he  suppressed  or  ivtpiire  the  record  to  he  prtxluced,  or 
hoth.  If  the  Aijji'ucies  allow  tin;  recctrd  to  he  examined  on  a]>pll- 
cation,  tlit?  person  alfei'ted  should  then  choose  whetlu'r  they  shall 
continui!  to  trade  in  ///v  rcjtutatictn  or  desist.  The  result,  in  either 
hypothesis,  must  crip[)l(!  the  system.  <  )f  what  service  to  any  (im; 
exce])t  tlu!  person  rated  satisfactorily  could  the  systi-m  he,  in  the 
one  case  ^  In  the  other,  merchants  could  have  no  iu<lucenu'nt  for 
jviyiiii;  for  a  system  of  impiisition  which,  in  its  net  product, 
realized  the  sole  perfection  of  a  nuitual-admiration  coterie. 

A  RiXTU  means,  ami,  to  our  mind,  tlie  fittest  of  all  mentioned,  is 
resort  to  the  law  to  rejtress  their  lihels  and  recover  ilamai;cs,  as 
well,  for  hreaehes  of  contra;'t  to  supply  information  correctly 
under  their  old  or  e.xistinijf  suhscri])tion  contracts.  \\y  what  rii^lit 
are  ten  men  in  the  I'liited  States  ami  Canada  enaliled  to  set  them- 
selves np  as  irrespou 


sihle  censors  of  their  fellow-citi/en^'  character: 


and  husitiess  stanfliuj.^  ?  Sim])le  aj^reements  at  larii'e  with  third 
])arlics  on  tin-  suhject  ai"e  certainly  no  ]trotection  so  lom^  as  the 
really  interested  [)arty"s  lastes  are  not  ('(Hisulted.  Even  if  the  prin- 


ciple ol  aixency  were  allctwed  as  a  slnclu,  m  a  smyit;  case,  wliere 
actual  tradiui;-  had  heen  contemplated  in  good  faith,  it  would  he 
numifestly  against  puhlie  policy  to  permit  universal  reporting  and 


THE   SYSTKM   KXPOSED. 


163 


iiTos|>(ti)sil)lo  criticistn  siinjily  bociiuso,  at  some  tiinr,  oiio  or  moro 
tiiousiiids  (»f  OHO  iiiid  !i  (jiuirter  iiiillioiis  of  men  lulijhf.  seek  credit 
from  one  of  tliirty  thousand  other  men,  subscribers  to  and  em[)loy- 
ers,  so  called,  of  the  Agencies.  Jhit  this  is  not  the  whole  of  the 
olijection.  Of  the  million  and  over  rated  and  criticised  bv  tlie 
A;^e?icies  not  one  half  have  ever  had,  or  have  ever  sought  tithave, 
a  single  transaction  with  the  thirty  thousand  subscribers  I  How 
can  a  theory  of  constructive  agency  be  stretched  so  as  to  cover  these 
iimumerable  and  wholly  indefensible  interferences  with  private 
character  and  commercial  standing?  Then,  as  to  the  litness  of  ex- 
a-ting  <hvmages  from  professional  news-givers,  Avhat  can  be  fairer 
than  to  insist  that  men  who  live  by  the  business  should  lose 
by  it,  also,  when  found  destroying  their  fellow-citizens,  for  private 
gain,  \n  character  and  substance? 

L'.'st  the  reader  should  consider  these  suggestions,  however  just 
in  themselves,  the  result  of  bias  in  the  writer,  and  any  eifort  tt» 
carry  them  out  singular  and  exceptional,  and  to  be  avoided  for 
that  reason,  we  proceed  to  supjilement  them  by  the  ])ers(inal  testi- 
mony, conveyed  to  the  writer  within  a  single  fortnight,  of  a 
few  of  many  leailin<r  citizens.  Tt  will  be  seen  that  our  ailvice  is 
already  adopted  by  great  numbers  of  merchants,  and  that  whoever 
would  imitate  them  ncjd  have  no  fear  of  beiu<r  without  iroodcom- 
]>any.  L.  II.  P.,  a  leadiiigliipior  merchant,  says  his  experience  is 
'•  that,  with  the  nse  .«i"  an  agency,  and  the  ex])enditnre  of  a  bottle 
"of  wine  with  its  spy,  he  can  break  the  credit  and  reputation  of 
'•his  neighbor,  lie  knows  of  no  other  purpose  it  :'au  serve,  and 
"  wishes  it  suppressed." 

The  President  of  the Savings  Hank  says  :  "  I  have  borne 

"  the  double  relation  of  subscriber  and  corresjwjulent.  AVHiile 
"■  acting  in  the  former  capacity,  I  always  took  care  to  compliment 
"my  own  friends  and  keep  my  own  ci-edit  in  the  meridian.  As 
'•  a  partner  in  a  linn  without  more  tlian  ^.''.0,(Mto  c-apital  I  found 
'•  no  ditllculty  in  getting  the  agencies  to  rate  the  house  at  S4(>(),- 
"  (1(10  (I)  up  to  the  moiiu'nt  of  its  failure.  I  think  tJH'iu  a  colossal 
"  humbug,  and  carefully  avoid  them  in  the  sense  of  giving  a  dol- 
"  lar  to  them." 

The  President  of  the and 's  r)aidc  says  :  "  I  would  not 

"  throw  away  Avinc  on  any  of  them.  A  glass  of  lager  is  enough  to 
"  reaoli  the  credit  men  and  raters." 


w 


1G4 


THE  COMMEUCIAL   AGENCIES. 


An  iron  lucrcliaiit  on 


sti-eot  fiavs  :  '•  T  never  finbscribcd 


I! 

If! 


'I 


il: 


:!' 


"  to  any  l»iit  AfcKillop's,  and  I  foiir.d  tliry  always  oniittt-d  to  rato 
"nio  wliou  my  sulisfrij)tiiin  Ava.s  discontinued.  L  iiiially  jLjot  so 
"  indignant  1  forcibly  ejected  one  of  tbe  oanva-snersi  from  my 
"  ollice,  and  kicked  liis  liat  after  liim." 

A  sliii>|)ini,f-liousc  in  South  street  regards  tliem  as  "  ])lackmail- 
"  crs,  to  whom  lie  would  neither  give  a  statement  nor  sul)scrii>tion, 
"  and  forbade  their  canvassers  to  come  on  our  ])remises.  Our 
"  ratings  liavc  sulfered,  and  are  false,  but  wc  are  too  well  known 
"to  care." 

A  mend)er  of  another  shii)ping  lionsc  writes :  "  A  canvasser  in- 
"  sinnated  that  an  attack  on  our  credit  would  bo  made  if  we  did 
"  not  subscribe.  His  threat  is  fulfilled.  Ibit  I  rc'-rct  its  vai^ue- 
"ness  prevents  legal  proceedings,  although,  to  himself,  the  mean- 
"  ing  and  malice  are  (piite  clear.'' 

Another  gentleman,  well  known  as  a  leading  political  economist, 
sends  a  lt»ng letter  declaring  in  the  most  positive  terms  that"  the 
"  system  is  a  curse,  and  ought  to  be  abated  by  legislation." 

A  hair  importer  of  another  city  says:  "I  discovered  I  was  li- 
"  bulled  through  the  eifort  of  a  rival  trader,  who  used  the  agency 
"  against  me.  He  pretended  to  be  friendly,  but  was  on  the  inside. 
*'  I  now  know  how  to  get  even,  and  will  surelv  trv." 

The  President  of  the  X.  T.  Co.  states  :  "■  Jf  merchants  arc 
"attacked  it  serves  them  right  for  supporting  such  an  institution. 
''  Let  them  blame  themselves,  and  turn  a  nev.'  leaf." 

A  gentleman,  only  second  to  irenry  C  Carey  in  deep  study  of 
the  economies  ot' trade,  etc.,  says  :  '*  They  are  dollar  and  centcon- 
"  ccrns,  started  and  continued  for  a  livelihood  under  a  public  j)re- 
"  fence.  I  hope  to  see  tliem  placed  on  the  defensive  in  the  press, 
"  in  the  courts,  and  in  the  State  legislatures.  For  my  part,  I  am 
"  (juitc  certain  the  District  Attorneys  in  some  States  could  take 
"them  in  hand  criminally." 

]\rr.  II.,  I'f  H.  iV:  A.,  Wall  street,  says  :  "  AVe  subscribed  at  one 
"  time,  but,  Jinding  the  n-ports  vague,  incorrect,  ami  useless,  dis- 
"  continued.  Since  then  the  agencies  have  thought  less  of  ns, 
"  and  in  their  re[)orts  say  '  the  father  of  one  of  our  linn,'  who  died 
"twenty  years  ago,  'is  still  interested,'  and  i>lace  ns  with  our 
"  $40( ',<""•  capital  below  where  they  did  whuu  we  had  net  a  qnar- 
"  tcr  of  it." 


THE   SrSTEM    EXl'OSEI). 


1G5 


A  larii'o  Tlroiul-stroet  Li([U(ir  MiTcliiint  iviranls  it  tlif  "c'>st'nco 
"of  rockli'ssiioss  to  i)ay  any  uttciitioii  ti>  tli(i  ivjMirts.  It  is  a  ([UHik 
"  way,  a  pi-rfect  short-cut,  to  ]>aiiknii»tcy." 

A  leadiii''  Clotliler  savs  :  ''  Our  travelirr  latolv  found  an  a'a>n- 
"  cy  corri'siMindent  in  league;  witli  a  trader  to  purchase  all  he  couM 
'•(tn  a  fav(»rahhi  rejtort  and  share  tlie  profits.  I  trust  your  ai^ita- 
"  lion  will  _i,dve  us  an  orj^'anization  or  eoinnioii  system  of  ai-tion 
'•  !iu:ainst  thi'in."' 

These  few  sainiiles,  selected  at  ran(h)ni  from  a  mass  of  citv 
corresponcU'iice,  with  two  exceptions  received  within  fourteen  days, 
harely  j^ive  an  i(h'a  of  the  extent  and  (Uspth  of  feeliiiii;  already 
eai;er  to  he  directed  ai,'ainst  the  ohnoxious  system.  If  we  were 
to  insert  a  tenth  }>art  of  the  jjeneral  (k'nunciation.  hy  h'tter 
or  woi'd  of  mouth,  of  which  we  liavt*  heen  made  tlie  receiver 
or  liearer  witliin  the  e<amo  perioil,  our  hook  would  not  c(tntain 
paijes  enouirh  to  ]>rint  it  in  detail.  Uut  even  tliese  examples  will 
sulHce  to  show  the  hesitatini;  trader  tliat ///.s' views  arc^  also  those 
of  numy,  many  other  active  aiul  reputahli'  merchants  in  every 
city  and  town  in  tlu^  country,  and  that  he  can  ri'ly  on  efhcient 
countenance  and  supjxirt,  from  tliis  time  henceforward,  in  every' 
jiistiliahle  a<;ii-ressive  imtvement  whicli  he  may  contemplate 
ai:;ainst  the  a^vncy  system,  its  aiders  and  ahettors. 

While  tliis  proof  nf  an  aroused  puhlic  oi>inion  must  he  assur- 


•P 


ing  to  loui^-patient  and  lonjx-sniferin<^  traders,  it  carries  a  very  (hf- 
ferent  lesson  to  tliosc  wlio  liave  lieretofore  freely  exj)ressed  opin- 
ions of  their  nei:irhl»ors  to  auency  detectives.  Such  persons  must 
hear,  in  these  I'umhlinirs  of  an  apj^roachinij  cimtroversv,  the  pre- 
saofe  fif  disclosiM'es  very  painful  and  surprisint^.  A'^ictims  will  soon 
he  ilemandinii'  the  names  of  their  tradiicers.  f.\)urts  will  compel 
diseovcrv.  The  natural  anxietv  of  informants  to  avoid  disclos- 
urc  oui^ht  t(t  he  a  waniin<?  to  others  that  every  statement  made  to 
the  ajj!;encies  may  entail  disai^reeahle  consei[uences  and  should  he 
sedulously  avoided  hereafter.  A  hahit  of  strict  refusal  to  sayany- 
thiiiijj  ahout  neiijhhors,  under  anv  circumstance,  to  the  minion.s  of 


the  T 


n(piisitit>n,  is  our 


last 


reconunendatitjn  m  tins  connection 


th 


It. 


wisdom  is   apparent.     The  neglect  of  it,  whether  from   ihouirht-, 
lessness  orniisap])rehension  of  the  scope  and  purpose  of  the  system, 
is  certain  to  hring  trouhle  ami  annoyance,  in  the  near  future,  to 
hundreds  who  thought  thev  could  stab  in  the  dark  and  never  be 


(J  i 


ICC 


THE  COMMEUCIAL  AGENCIES. 


doteetod.  What  lioiionihK!  iiierchaiit  would  like  1m  liiid  liiiiisulf 
dict'k  l»y  j(twl  with  thu  army  of  iMirposefid  or  iJiirportoli'ss  infcjnii- 
ers  'i  AVhich  one,  with  his  own  j»r(»i»er  luihiiics.s  to  hiok  after,  irt 
|)rci»arod  to  act  as  a  slciith-liound,  at  tiie  whip  and  Itt-ck  of  every 
a^'cncy  adventurer  wlio  may  i)ro]»oNe  to  retail,  for  hire  and  profit, 
neighl)orH'  opinions  of  each  i»ther  (  The  oceupatiMii  is  certaiid}' 
not  very  di<,'iutie(l  (»r  ^raeions,  at  any  time.  After  the  jiubjication 
of  this  hook,  Me  tlnnk  we  may  wiy  it  will  also  he  very  apt  to  be- 
come both  troid)lesome  and  di^•rep^ltal>le. 

Kaeh  of  the  means  above  HU^rj^'ested  is  f;ood,  in  its  way,  in  the 
effort  to  rednee  the  harmfulness  of  the  agencies.  A  few  of 
them,  faithfully  persisted  iri,  will  give  back  to  injured  business 
men  u  large  i>art  of  the  fortunes  made  out  of  their  characters.  The 
use,  by  any  respectable  nund)er  of  men,  of  all  the  means  indicated, 
Mill  speedily  ])ut  an  end  to  the  system,  and  release  Americati  com- 
merce from  the  tilthy  beak  and  strident  talons  of  the  agency  vul- 
ture. 


TlIK  SYSTEM   KXPOSED. 


Iti7 


CirAl'TKIl    \XI. 

the  enoijmitvof  tilk  ulack  lists— tiif,  nimnku  of  i'kllsons 
and  amoints  »»l'  invi'.stki)  caimtai,  im.ackd  ini>ki{  han 
— .mi:i)1)m:i)  cukdits  and  paualvzkd  tuadk. 


IIavi.\(j  (It'iiKiiistratiMl  in  ;i  ])ri'ci'(liiii;  chapter,  liv  iinluhitiiliU! 
jtroot's  c'xtracti'il  rnmi  Aifciicv  Ivi'tVrt'iicc  IJuok,-,  tlu'  iihsunl  ]>osi- 
tiou  o('('U|tii'<l  Ity  till'  System,  jii(I,i;i't|  with  its  own  staixliinl,  it  only 
roiiiains  lor  ns  to  dii-cct  attention  to  tin;  jirivati!  reports,  or  llJiirk 
/,/.vAv,  from  wliicli,  wliili' 1'avoi'a!>l(!  ratin-rs  appear  in  the  Ui-fertMice, 
iSooks,  oppi'olirions  inattei's  tind  constant  cireiihition. 

AVe  have  seen  that  small  capital  ratings  are  never  associatiMJ 
with  <;oo(l  ei'edit  ratinirs,  even  For  small  amoniits;  that  is,  the  Aiijen- 
C'ies  do  not  eonsidi-r  lin>iness  character  orjirivatt;  character,  as  such, 


Buthcient  to  determine  tlie  rii;lit  to  !-redit  ]>ro])ortionati'  to  i'eco<r- 
ize(l  capital,  or  worth  recojLriiitioii.      lint,  on  the  otlier  hand,  larijje 


n 


(•a])ital,  althou;;^li  rated  in  the  llefereiice  TxH.ks  ji'enerally  in  con- 
jimctioii  with  "  irood  "  or  '*  hii^h"  credit,  ])ri'<erves  no  iixed  relation 
to  business  <»r  private  charactt'r  even  //(  the  Ilet'erence  Uooks,  and, 
oitfxlil''  of  them,  in  the  ]irivate  re])orts,  is  often  associate*!  with  the 
most  dama^iny  statements.  The  ordinary  reader,  coiiseijuently,  can 
discover  no  method  of  detectinij  whether  or  not  the;  i)rivate  reports 
of  liimself  arc  carried  into  the  IJeferenci!  I >ook  nitinj^s  fur  either 
ow  or  liiijh   cajiital 


low  or  hiijh  cajiital,  and  is  led,  if  rated  satisfactorily,  to  believe 
that  his  character  has  not  been  attacked,  or,  if  rated  unsatisfactori- 
ly, that  the  worst  ai)pears  instead  <)f  bein^  reserved  for  private  sale 
and  distribution. 

On  the  other  liand,  tlie  expert  in  Aireiicv  literature  Mritten  or 
})rinted,  even  if  he  never  read  a  line  of  the  i)rivate  reports,  can  lay 
his  iinu'er  in  the  lieference  iJooks  on  every  name  smirched  by 
masked  corres]»ondents  or  secret  spies  and  recorded  for  ]»erman(!nt 
bkc'keuin<r.     AVherever  the  least  discrimination  is  shown   in  the 


Kia 


TlIK   tO.MMi;i£tlAI<   ACKNCIKS. 


^^ 


11 


a|i|ili(;iti<'ii  of  flic  iintv.'ildc  ritli  I'lii  or  mimIhiIs  \>>  tin'  ciiiiital 
(•fill  rill  or  (•viiiliitl>,  it  is  caiisi'd  jiv  Mi|»|»rcsM'(|  iiil'oriiiatioii  or  |»ri'- 
tciidcd  ilit'oriiiatioii  of  a  daiiia^nii^  kiinl  ;  Init.  as  \vc  liavc  .siiij.  tlic 
aliM'iu'c  of  ,-iicli  (li>criiiiiiiatioii  is  tio  >,qiaraiilfv'  w  iiatcvcr  lliat  mat- 
ter ti'iidiiiLC  to  jii>tirv  it  isz/o/ on  tli((  n-cord.  'liii'  A^ciirii's  arc 
iriili>|Hi>cd,  except  for  MJlisii  reasons,  to  |iuMi>li  low  raiip-s  of  credit 
ill  coiineclioii  with  lar;^-e  capital,  and  tlierei'ore  avoid  doiii;;;  so  as 
iiiiicli  as  |io>,->ilile  ;  foi*  tlicir  sul»crilters  arc  c\|iccted  to  conic  tVoni 
sncli  piivons,  intlicmaiii  ;  imt  if  \vc  di'diict  f/iii't;/  t/i)>ii-siiiiihYvv>v\\\. 
Knlisci'ilicr>")  names  from  tlic  lists  of  the  three?  Ap-ncics,  and  allow  as 
many  more  to  reprocnt  the  \cry  hi<;Iicst  ranifi's  of  capital  from  which 
f'iiliir>  sniiscriliers  are  to  come.  wv.  shall  still  haxc  ahoiit  .v '•- //  Inm- 
(h'dl  flioi'siiiiil  jiersoiis  .s »////'< '7  to  private?  detraction  or  I'alsi'  ratin<^, 
and  (intsidc  the  pin-view  of  a  sclli>li  policy  of  siippi'i  -sioii  or  favor- 
itism. When  we  are  ahle  to  siy  that  a  (>  iil/i  of  the  tradini;'  popu- 
lation of  New-York  is  on  tlu'  I'dack  lasts  of  a  sini:'Ic  A;L;ency.  it 
will  not  ap|icar  exair^eratioii  when  we  add  that  the  total  niniilier 
of  Merchants  and  Ti-aders  in  the  Cnitcil  States  and  Canada  iirfiidlhj 
deroii'atorily  writli'ii  ahoiit,  to,  or  in,  the  thivi'  .\^t'iicifs  sum  np 
NiM;rv  rnoi  SAND,  at  least  I 

As  wv.  hav(!  seen,  in  a  former  chapter,  how  thccai)it.il  ratiiii,''sof 
■rwo  iirNi)i;i:i»  and  sixi  v-rwo  ^^ercllants  arc  made  to  dilVer  oni; 
III  niii;i:d  and  tiil'KK  Mii.iaoNs  oi"  dom.aus,  it  is  not  dilliciilt  to 
conceive!  ii  similar  discordanci',  many  tinu'S  multiplii'il,  hetwi'cn  thu 
Ai^encii'S,  in  n-fereiice  to  estimates  and  rei>orts  nf  j>i /-mi/h//  rjuii'iic- 


I'nder  the  most  favoraiih-  c<»nditioiis,  one  man 


1  s  /•<  <il,  as  dis- 


tin,i;inshe(l  from  liis  Hiipj)OK'itliiiin,  merit  is.  necessarily,  a  pii;;zlc 
seldom  solvc(l  and  never  denionsfrahle.  When  we  add  to  the  or- 
dinary inherent  troiihle  of  di'termination  the  acccfsory  drawhacks 
of  distance,  anonymity,  nidilti'ivil  prejudice,  or  nndctt'cte'<l  parti- 
saiisliip,  the  impediments  to  accnivicy  heconie  inlinite,  and  even 
tlu!  iniinformefl  arc  pi'cpared  to  believe  that  tho  contradictions  of 
capital  ratiiiii'sare  slii^ht  in  comparison  with  the  raiiMiiii'  iiicohi'rcn- 
I'ies  of  tho  comparative*  IMack  Lists  ok  the  snhject  of  rhin'(i<-t<  i\ 

Tho  readiT  nnist  have  noticed,  and  can  rirall,  several  instances 
in  fornuT  chapters  where  a  sinv,-le  A<;ency  is  fonnd  ratiny-  ^Fer- 
chants  in  <rood  credit  whose?  charae-ter  as  Imsiness  men  is  assaileel 
with  acrimony  in  the  ]»rivatc  reimrts.  AVheu  persetns  in  <;o<)el  e-reel- 
it  by  Agency  admission  arc  so  attacked,  it  ia  lujtliing  wonelerful  to 


J  '• 


Tin:   SVSTKM    KXroSKI). 


III'.* 


liml  tli.'it  pfi'Miii^  nut  ill  i;(Mii|  iTcdit  li_v  A^^t'iii-y  autlnn'ilv  siilVcr  to  ii 
iiiitiistriiiis  cxii'iit    ill    till'   MiTct    ;iri-iii\»'; .     (\iiiiiiikm    fspfriciict? 
fliKWs  t!i;if    cuWMnllv   (litraiMinii    ]•!  M'Iduiii   li'^si-iicil   liv    iiicn';i.>i'i| ' 
iiiiiiiiiiiitv  Iroiii  i)Uiii>liiiu-iit. 

TIm'  I»i,A(  Iv  I.isrs,  tlii'i'i'l'drc.  ;irc  tlic  (IcsiLriiafinii  we  ('m|ilny  tu 
(•lijii'iiclt'ri/,»'  tlu!  VMst  mass  (if  iiaiiics  lilackciicd  liy  slaiiiitTni' cliaiTcd 
liy  riivv.  All  ici'licrif  is  kimwii  to  In-  two  thirds  under  water. 
Tlic  niack  M.-tH  are  sunl;  mit  ol"  .^ij^dit  with  their  aeemmilatctl 
wi'iirlit  of  imdti]»Iied  iiii|iiiritie.s. 

The  Apjieiidix  whicii  follows  contains  the  initials  of  .alioiit  TKN' 
'illoisAM)  Merchant./  and  Tradei's'  names,  with  city,  Stale,  and 
l'il>ine>s  adih'd.  It  re|»resents  sciectitnis  from  thi-  le'M.ftsof  ihc^ 
thi'ee  Aiicncies  under  late  tl.ati's,  and  is  the  rc^iili  of  .scncimI 
iiiont|i>' ahiio^t  eon>tant  lahor.      In  oiir  second  and   fntiire  e(liiioiis 


ii'  |tro|iose  to  eiilar!;:^  tlie  List  nnii!  we  shall   1 


/  //. 


<iii( 


ItnsiiK- 


(//  .siitisfiiitiiin  tiinl  till  iifi fi'i'iifi 


i;n  r    n'lveii, 

1 1 'I,  t! 


for 


uni  tinl>l,  tlie  liaiiiea 


nis 
nd 


•ry  i;s>ailed   Trailer  and   ( 'orpor.atioii   in  tlu-  l'tiite<l 


!•  oiir  iiiir- 


St.ites  and  ( 'aiiada. 

Ill  makiiij;  up  this  terrihle  army  of  inciil|iatory  matte 
pose  was  to  eiialile  oiir  readi'i's,  IjkII I'iihni'hi,  to  learn,  w  ithoiit  "'// 
hether  or  not  the  .\u'eiicies  had  taken  lihertii's  with 


tin 


•  ioiiiir  SI 


name 


w 


We    therefore;    coiitine    oiir.-ehi's    to    initial.' 


aiK 


s  or  \y'Y\  peculiar 


wheri!  even  this  >lii,dit  clue  niiuht,  in  small  placi 
Trades,  lead  to  ideiititicatioii,  we  have  omitted  .selection.  The 
Lists,  taken  in  connection  with  the  Comparative  Tallies  in  ('hapti-r 
W'lIL,  supply  iiiciiiitrovertilile  proof  of  every  alleiratioii  m.aile  in 
tlie.-e  )»a;j;'es,and  leave  our  readers  in  po>,ses.>ion  of  .a  fund  of  infor- 


mation   not  nu'i'elv  novel  and  conviiicin 


ir,  hut 


iii'Ver  iieloi'e  attaiii- 


alile,  nor  apt  to  ho  amplilied   or  extended,  excejit  l»y  the  author. 

Its  |iulilicatioii  will  induce  and  compel  such  clian;^-es  in  the  Aii'eiicy 

lie  wholly  ;it  a  lo>s  to  .secure' 
•    found    willinn'  to    dcvott; 


Syr-ti'iii   that  the  future  ini[uirer  will 
materials,  and  few,    or  none,    will     li 


the  wmie  amount  of  lahor  or  time  to  their  comiiilation.  Luckily 
the  author's  opportunitie.s  for  enlarii-inij  his  proofs  and  exposini^ 
tlio  A_i;t'i>cies  can  only  cease  with  tlu;  System  ;  for  while  thcv  con- 
tinue to  puhlish  lie  can  continue  to  confute,  and  will  a.-.-uredly  do 
so.  In  .somi!  1'oriii,  it  may  even  heconie  necessary  and  desirahli;  to 
liusiness  men  that  a  weekly  record  of  Aijency  mi.stake.s,  oiiii.-.-ions, 
calumnies,  etc.,  should  he  made  up  and  circulated,  and  the  recep- 


i''  ^ 


170 


tidii  ( 


if  tl 


TIIK   COMMKIUMAL   A(iK.\CIi:S. 


lis  vnlmiK'  \\  ill   sliuw   wlicllirr  thorn  exists  n  desire  for  ;i 


(•lieii]>er,  lU'-re  (•uiiveiiieiit,  ;iii<l  ]>eriu(li('iil  form  <•!'  curi-eiit  eoiTi-c- 


tidib 


acci'ssi 


hie  t 

Air 


o  hiisiiiess  men,  side  l»v  side  \\\ 


til  t 


le    cos 


tlv  ii.ml 


cumhi'i'soiiie  Aijeiicv  System  iiil;iiiiies. 

Our  immetliate  diitv,  liowever,  is  Avitli  the  Ulack  J.ists  and 
such  ]torlioMS  of  them  as  an;  appended.  How  i-tiii  any  I'atioiial 
l)ein_i;'  wonder  at  \\h'  coii(Hlion  of  trach;  wiieii  told  that  this  vast 
army  of  maliijned  Aferchantfi  and  Traders  is  sinqtly  the  advanee- 
<i;iiard  of  a  host  of  other  ^^ercllaIlts  and  'rra<lers  avIio  may  iinally 
nuniher  SIX  iiuxnicKi)  TiioisA.\i>  I  Is  veil  in  the  cities  seli'cted  for 
illustration  wo  only  cull  a  few  names  out  of  the  ^reiieral  mass. 
The  vast  multitiKU'  is  not  iiotahly  lessi-ned.  ]n  all  its  miiihty  pro- 
]>ortions  of  numhers,  wealth,  accumulated  hopes  and  a>pirations,  it 
awaits  the  next  roll-call.  Why,  if  a  foreii,'ner  were  to  hear  from 
these  Aijjencies  that  the  ])roportion  of  re[)utahl(!  and  trustworthy 
Merchants  and  'I'raders  in  tlu;  I'liited  States  was  less  than  f<  n  jx  r 
ri)if,  could  we  hlame  him  for  lielieviiiii'  that  our  social  fahric  M'as 
incorriijihly  rotten  i  And  yet  the  passivists  will  say  it  makes  iio 
matti-r  how  nuicli  tlu^  Ai^eiicii-s  helii'  or  misreport  so  loiiijif  as  only 
a  few  dozen  ])eisoiis,  in  the  case  of  each  trader,  are  let  into  the 
secret  !  '^riiey  for<ret  that  the  i'alselioo<ls  or  lihels  themselves  are 
not  reduced  in  intensity  hy  the  method  of  repetition,  and  that  tlu; 
jiirnrpt'o'iite  ivsult  to  tlic  husiiiess  character  of  the  country  is  ])re- 
cisely  the  same  as  if  hundreds  were;  made;  the  coiitidants  of  the 
Airencies  in  each    instance.       All  who   have    reason    to   ask   are 


aiiswere( 


<nu 


I  th 


axHUi'i:  t<\icr<XH  <>/• 


f((Jhii'i'  ill  ii'iuU  to  till'  pvrxoih  hiipi'irnl  Khnuf. 
AVhat  I'lse  is  wanted  to  leave  the  Trade  of  the  country  and 
commercial  confidence  both  })rostrate  so  far  as  A<;eiu'ies  can  ]»ros- 
trate  tliein  ? 

Even  if  we  leave  out  of  account  the  wronu^  committed  on  private 
feeliiii^s,  or  the  daniijer  to  individual  ])rospects,  here  arc;  thousands  of 
millions  of  business  ca|>ital  confessedly  in  the  liands  of  cheats  or 
swindlers  !  Js  it  iiothini^  to  throw  a  cloud  round  the  ntili/atioii  of 
this  wealth  ?  to  place  its  owners  in  a  sort  of  moral  <jiiarantine  <Ie- 
structive  to  enerijy  and  only  reached  hy  the  desperate  i  Our  expe- 
rienci!  with  Aijency  cajtital  estimates  was  certainly  had  enough,  hut 
in  all  that  ministers  to  evil,  and  evil  only,  these  cliaracterdvilliii_i>s 
of  tlio  Black  Lists  are  inconceivably  the  most  infamous  and  most 


THE   SYSTKM    KXPOSKI). 


171 


(li-adly  t(»  loi^itiinutc  cuimiicrci'.  It"  they  cii.'ililt'  our  rc'idcrs  to  i'\- 
;ict  relict"  mid  I'cdi'css,  mii-  hilxir  in  coiiipiliiig  tlioiii  will  liavi'  Ituoii 
;iiii]>ly  ivwai'dt'd. 

'l\i  ri'iK'w  our  liiK!  of  aririiniciit  : 

I.  AVu  set.  out  to  ])rovu  tiiat  tlu;  An'cncy  '*  SystcMii"  wa^  a  sliain 
and  a  swindle  of  \]n\  li.'st  niai,'nitu<lc!  in  its  m.vnaokmk.ni'.  Wr 
liHCi'  pi'odxccil  ifn  oii'ii  i'lciifi/s  fo  (ihiiii<l<tiifli/  Kiipjxift  f/i/'fi  I'hniii. 

II.  We  ]»ro])o>ed  (o  show  that  it,  was  really  no  Si/sf,i/i,  iiaviiii,' 
neither  coherent'  principle  nor  cohoriMit  illustration  in  its  leui^th 
or  hn'adlli  !  77i<;  clxtplii'  mi  ihr  "  /\''i/.s"  iimf  tlf  cJnijifti'  lUux- 
fi'iifliKj  ihi'  iJiscorilinict'  of  i/ii'  A<ji)iclis  as  ti>  tliifil  juirt'iiH  iind 
I  ilc/i  ofJii  /',  <U'i'  coiirl iixlre  on  f/o.si'-  i^/i  .s/Jo/i.s; 

ill.  We  coinmenced  writiuij^  with  thc!  desi^ni  of  fairly  discuss- 
ini;-  tiie  riijht  of  such  an  anomalous '*  Instilnlion"  to  cxi-^t  in  an 
intelliifcnt  connniniity  at  all,  or  without  special  legislation  directeil 
against  its  almse.  II  /,o  cd/i  mii/  ir<'  /ii/rr.  coihi'  io  tt  ioii<if'iri'  co/i- 
cliiNtoii    ii'Ultout    cmufn}  xfinhj  or  fi'om  aH'  hiKiiJlif'n  iif  (in'dij  of 

fiU'tx  ? 

I\'.  We  designe(l  to  sugge.-t  to  the  liusiness  classes  remedial 
measures  against  the  System.  What  the  sngii'cstion  in  rtgard  to 
(Juarantee  ('onijyanit's  does  not  ])rovide  for  is  amply  conipensiti'il 
liy  the  in;i\im  sedulously  inculcated  throughout  these  pages,  (\'((sc. 
to  toipjiort  'it ;  ti'ij  liijdl  court i/.sioii.s'  'irif/i  it,  !f  irromjul  ! 

Ifonly  remains  for  us  to  anticipate  the  methods  in  which  the 
Sy.stem  will  essay  to  meet  our  argunu'uts: 

I.  It.'<  Jirf<t  rtj'oft  iritt  Ix'  to  xfop  till'  cii'Ciililtioii  of  tlii-s  ii'oi'k. 
To  defeat  this  purpose  we  n-ly  on  thi^  justice  of  ('iMirts,  thi'  good- 
will of  the  independi'ut  ])ress,  and  tlu^  assistance*  of  tln^  loiig-sulVi'r- 
ing  and  grossly-het rayed  husiness  puhlii". 

II.  Itx  fti'coiiil  lit  r'n;'  n'Ht  fh'  to  osniiH  tin'  o ntJioi'.  If  /i,'  ha\-e 
anything  in  his  Iiundihi  life  to  specially  regret  more  seriously  than 
his  association  with  the  System,  he  has  yet  to  learn  it. 

J  1 1,  llii'  til  I  I'll  mill  lilst  itfort  irlll  III'  i'lllo  r  to  romlxit  lii.'<  /'"/- 
,si)ii/iii/  or  Joi/i  Js.s'iii-  oil,  lii.i  j'lot.s'.      This   is   the   least  likelv  of  all, 


hut  the  one  which    the  wi'iter  naturally 
tein,  howi'ver,  iind  o/ir  defender, 


(|esii-c 


we  shall  clialkMi 


Should  th( 
-e  1 


iim. 


Firxfti/,  To]M>intto  a  singli!  line;  in  the  work  which  is  )iot  a  ra- 
tional deduction  from  facts  stated  in  it. 


\'ii 


iMI 


m 

mm 


¥^ 


S  1 


m 


i 


_ 

^1 

1 

In- ' 


172 


TIIK   COM.MKUCIAL   Ar.K>'CIES. 


/Kcoiii//!/.    To    CM.NIKADKT,  I'.V    ]'i:()(>K,    A    SINfil.i:    AI.M;(  .AIK  (N    (iT 


I'ACT  IN  'iiii;  wiioi.r,  iKKiK 


If  wc!  liavo  wi'ittfii  with  wjirnitli  lictinics,  -wo  liavo  Ik'cii  iiiic( 

If, 


scions  of  tlu!  spirit  of  cither  iiiaHci!  or  uiicharitalik'Hi'; 


OM 


lool< 


1111 


M, 


over  our  ])air(.'s,  we  see  iimch  lliat  iiiin'iit  he  hi'ttereih  w 


,<<)■<:  HiitlniKi  'V 


'•III  I'll 


irr 


h 


ilt'i'    not    Ol'KjllnO Jii'iiof  fn  ,si/.\/(i 


itv  1o 


/;/- 


lusfi'((fc.     Oiir  fears  are  cauM'd  hy  a  sense  of   our  iiica|ia( 

justice  to  tlic!  suhjeet  ;  we  have   none  ahout  either  the  amount  of 

]»re|iaratioii  oi'  the  inatei'ial  at  our  (hsposah 

Ihii  wliether  the  ^Vyencies  enter  on  a  lahore(l  (h'lenci'  or  not. 
tliey  arc  sure  to  rely  soniewliat  on  the  use  of  their  cliea]*  talent  for 
])rivato  eireulars.  'J'liese  will  reach  suhscrihers — will  he  practically 
exclusive  and  diUlcult  for  the  mifNidi'  jmlilif  or  i]i(>  ituihui'  to  oh- 
tain — and  may  ho  made  more  etHcieiit   in  retaiin'm;:  ]»atroiiai;-e  than 


al!  otl 


ler  instrinneiitalities  comhnu'd 


nev 


lossi'ss  a 


II  tl 


le  aflvaii 


ta<;es  (if  ]tartisan  statements  without  entailing  the  jienally  of  open 
confutation  like  a  newspaper  article  or  a  pani|>hlet  is>ued  foi-  ;j.'en- 
ei'al  readiiiL;'.  W(!  must  rely  on  some  one  (.f  our  I'l'adt'rs  for  any 
8])ecimen  of  this  kind  of  missile  which  may  he  stealthily  put  into 
liis  liand.     "i'lie  opi'ii  di'fence,  if  any,  we  can  lind  for  oursi'lves. 

One  additional  device  occurs  to  lis.  The  .\ii'eiicies  are  ciM'tain 
to  revamp  and  )'i'])uhlish  an  ohJ  collection  of  ("ommeiidatory  Let- 
ters written  hy  a  few  suhscrihers,  years  aij,'o,  in  I'eturn  for  overrat- 
\\v^.  These  letters  are  simply  jxior  inntatioiis  of  the  ones  found  in 
auv  Cherry  Tectoral  almanac  or  in  any  Stomach  I'itters  ])ronunci- 
amento.  AN'hen  not  mamifactured  outrii;'ht,  they  are  sini[»ly  eulo- 
gies etiuipiled  hy  knaxes  f((r  unsK'adiuii'  fools. 

lleconunendations  datiMJ  .-oihunjihuf  to  t/o-  rKitliiii/  of  tliis  ]iuh- 
lication  would  ni>t  deserve  the  same  characti'rization  —  for  we  are 
hound  to  helie\c'  the  writi-rs  inust  ]iroceed  ou  some  knowledi;e  of 


tl 


len"  topic 


hut 


we 


]iredict  that   tlii'V  wi 


II 


I  te  s( » 


few   that   the 


apocalyptic  duty   of  catinii-  ihoni  would  he  within  the  eajiacity  of 
an  t>rdiiiarv  diii:estion. 


i 


TUE   SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


178 


CIIATTKli  XXII. 


LAST    ^VOUDS. 

So  far  of  tlio  jmst.  What  is  tlio  l)Ost  inotliod  v(  criiipling  this 
(laiJi^enms  and  (k'stnu'tive  sy.stt'iii  in  the  fiituiv  i 

Most  of  the  suiruc'stioTis  already  iiiadt;  ai'e  liiiiiti'd  in  ap[)licatiou 
to  snhsc'ril)ers.  Those  ahout  to  he  made  may  he  acted  on  hy  tlio 
whole  ti'adiiii;  eommunity,  and.  on  onr  theory,  should  hi;  carriiMl  out 
]»r(Hn|»tly  and  ])i'rsistently  TUitil  relief  fnjiii  the  Airency  imaihus 
.shall  have  heeii  attained. 

One  ot"  the  mo>t  etfectivt;  of  wea])ons  Avill  he  the  accmnulatioii 
at  some  eeiitre,  for|)roin]it  distrihution,  of  proofs  of  Ai^ency  errors, 
Avhether  arising-  from  i^-norance  ^>r  malice.  It  Avill  readily  occur  to 
a  merchant  avIio  has,  at  any  lime,  heeu  deceived  hy  Aijfeiicy  reports, 
that  the  value  of  his  information  dc]icnds  wholly  oii  liiviui^  it  ]>uh- 
licity,  and,  so  far  as  may  he,  in  connection  with  like  information 
from  otlu'r  merchants.  Its  point,  too.  will  :,q'i'atly  depend  on  itscir- 
culation.  in  the  iiei<;hhorhood  where  it  orii;'inated,  and  miu'ht  liavii 
<juick  conlirmati(»n  in  the  ])ersonal  expei-iencc!  of  other  traders. 
(liven  a  common  depository,  iiothiiii;'  will  he  more  easy  than  to  di- 
rect these  ])r(^ofs,  ill  the  most  ellicii'iit  way,  at  the  system,  and  so 
preservi!  a  coii>tant  lire  aloiiy  the  whole  line  of  At^vncy  occu])a- 
tioii.  The  writer  will  he  ,i;'lad  To  constitute  himself  this  ci.muiuii 
repository. 

Kven  superior  in  importiince  to  this  i^'athcriiii!,'  <>f  juMof-;  i<  the 
necessity  that  they  slioidd  he  ii-refra^-ahle  and  iiicoiitestahle.  Thi; 
oj)ponents  of  the  System  inu.-t  imt  imit;;te  its  l(.i;>ciii'<s  of  state- 
ment, or  looseness  of  I'l-axniiiii^'.  ^\  hat  is  not  capahh!  of  juihcial 
demonstration  to  a  common  intent  should  not  he  iixij.  M'hatexcr 
contains  an  element  of  inference  should  he  strictly  sciMitiiii/ed  if 
not  wholly  di>rei;'arded.  Whi're  ])ei'soiial  feel!ni;'s  miuht  e-say  to 
get  ii  hearing,  they  .should  he  watched,  weighed,  and  cluninated. 


III 


■Ml. 


V 


J7-t 


TIIK   COMMERCIAL   AGK>'CII':S. 


ill! 


In  illustration  of  the  great  care  whidi  .should  he  exercised  in  ac- 
cepting statements,  even  at  one  remove,  we  cannot  d<»  hetter  than 
mention  our  own  cautiousness  in  the  same  connection.  Sitice  the 
a])pearance  of  our  Prospectus "\ve  have  heeu  ])estered  with  innumer- 
ahle  olfers  of  testimony  against  tlie  Agencies  from  their  ^fanagers. 
Ex-iManagers,  and  Clerks,  hut  we  have  not  taken  a  single  illustration 
from  their  experience,  fearing  that,  as  our  time  did  not  ])ermit  us  to 
go  to  the  various  ])hices  referred  to  and  verify  the  tendered  evidence, 
Ave  might  fall  into  even  unintentional  error  and  give  exi)ression 
to  individual  griefs  and  selfish  })urposes.  AV'hen,  for  instance,  one 
De  Lestre,  an  Agency  em])loyee,  Avrotefrom  Utica  that  ''  he  knew 
of  several  instances  of  jindcrniintiitj  the  merchants  of  that  city," 
and  would  he  glad  to  place  the  information  at  our  service  ;  or  when 
one  Francey,  in  like  employment,  informed  us,  among  other  thiiigs, 
that  the  Krie  />/.sy'^/A7/  had  shown  certain  favor  to  the  institution,  and 
several  others  tendered  us  lists  of  correspondents  and  damaging  de- 
tails for  a  consideration,  M'e  threw  their  ])ro])ositioiis  in  the  waste- 
hasket.  AVe  could  not  give  any  weight  t(»  statements  incapahle  of 
ready  jtroof,  and  disregarded  them  at  once.  Each  merchant  must 
exercise  a  similar  watchfulness  in  taking  nothitig  for  granted,  and 
oidy  vouch  for  alleged  facts  near  at  hand  and  cai)al)le  of  instant 
verihcation  if  disputed. 

If  suhscrihers  have  strong  motives  to  assist  in  furnisiung  eviden- 
ces of  Agency  mistakes  and  mismanagement,  ;/c)«-suhscrihers  liave 
intinitely  more  reasons  for  doing  so.  ^«on-suhscrihers  are  the  suh- 
jecls  of  Agency  tlissection  for  the  ])reten(led  henelit  of  suhscrihers. 
Their  character  and  standing  are  the  System's  stock-in-trade. 
Their  iinancial  assistance,  through  yearly  sul)scriptions,  is  one  of 
the  constantly-pursued  ohjccts  of  Agency  effort.  If  they  wouhl 
esca])e  the  alternative  of  jiropitiating  T)ag(in  hy  gifts,  or  of  he- 
ing  in  hotn-ly  fear  of  his  malignity,  let  them  strike  hands  with  e\- 
ery  man  who  has  already  set  his  face  against  the  monster,  and  who 
i)roposes  to  destroy  him.  The  ruined  may  retrieve  themselves  in 
time;  hut  it  hi'hooves  .svAvAy/ victims,  as  v.'ell,  to  do  everything  in 
their  ])ower  to  escape  either  the  \»enalties  of  a  worshijiper  or  the 
]iaiiis  of  a  sacrifice. 

We  have  now  linished  our  initiatory  woi-k  in  these  suhterranean 
crypts,  and  are  aliout  to  emerge  again  into  the  open  air.  'Tis  a 
pleasing  riddance — the  escape,  even  fur  a  short  time,  from  the  rank 


1^: 


TIIK   SYSTKM    KXl'OSKD. 


17.- 


(.) 


viijinrs  of  tlic'so  lower  ivgioiis,  ivckiiiir  witli  foHid  exlialntions  of 


assiiilcfl  or  (Iccaviiiy'   ('IiMnictLTs. 


I5ut 


soiiR!  one  must  liiive  ijone 


cl(»\vii  into  tlieir  depths  to  explore  mikI  expose  their  secrets,  and  wo 
iiro  eonlideiit  that,  however  |)oorly  we  lia\-e  pei'fornied  our  duty, 
tlio  world  of  husiness  will  he  the  Iti'tter  for  it. 

]\rneh  that  \\v.  could  have  ad<led  must  wait  for  another  occasion. 
We  could  not  wisely  have  _i;'iven  more  saUijile  facts,  for  wo  rather 
wish  to  ^'ain  the  attention  of  the  ])ul)li('  to  a  j^reat  oiitra_<j;e,  and 
enlist  it  in  a  canipaiii:n  for  its  extirpation,  than  to  exhaust  resources 
which,  to  he  most  elfective,  nnist  he  held  in  a  i»nidi'nt  reserve  and 
(tidy  ap])lie(l  to  I'evive  a  llaii'U'ini;"  interest  or  I'cinfoi-ce  a  waninu' 
coiitrovei'.-y.  J.ike  any  other  aii'itatio!i,  the  one  initiated  l»y  the 
writer  against  the  ("ointnercial  A_i;-ency  Systi'Ui  in  America  should 
(/r>>ir  with  discussion,  and  should  he  supplied,  in  its  proirress,  with 
new  wt-apoiis  and  nussiUs  suited  to  the  varyiniji;  phases  of  the  con- 
test, lie  is  not  a  cari'ful  soldier  mIio  hrinii's  all  his  ti'oops  into  ac- 
tion at  the  o})enin_i;"  of  the  eiiu'au'ement.  'i'lie  knowledne  of  a  pow- 
erfid  resi'rxe  force  is  also  as  enconra^iui;'  to  friends  as  dis]>iritini;' 


to  the   enemv, 


AV 


liavi- 


tl 


lis  resi-rve, 


an( 


I  inte 


nd  to  use  i 


t  wl 


ier(! 


ancf  when  it  may  reasoiialily  he  hoped  to  do  most  i^'ood  to  para- 
lyzed trade  and  sadly  'oeset  tradei's. 

As  for  the  A<;ency  system  itself,  this  work  ]>lac-es  it  on  trial  in 
the  United  States  and  Canada.  Wi'  call  upon  it  to  plead,  and  i^o 
to  the  country  on  the  is>iie  framed.  Here  is  our  evidence  in  part. 
AVhere  is  theirs  to  contradict  or  refute  it  i 

The  {(uestion  is  not,  '•  What  is  the  writer's  motive^*'  althoun-li 
we  can  ai'ujue  on  motives,  if  necessarv  ;  hut,  "  (^an  liis  facts  1)0  re- 


futed r 
stitution 


Not,  >•  1) 


hnt 


oes 
Istl 


he  h 


to  111!  henelited  I>v  assailin:j:  tho  in- 


le  institution,  in  its  jirinciple  or  as  com 


ei 


1,  lit  to  exist  in  a  free  comnuniitv 


A\" 


luct- 

■:\\'  it    is  not,  call  on 


its  defi'iiders  to  come  forth,  and,  w  itii  an  a>sui'cd  faith  in  tho  ont- 


coi 


ue,  leave  the  result  to  the  liiial   opininu 


an  mtelhi^'ent  ])ress 
ami  an  eclncated  ])nhlic. 

The  Detective  and  Iid'ormer  Iteloni;'  to  the  paths  of  illicit  trade 
or  the  skidkini:;-places  of  accomplished  criine.  'i'hey  >liould  have 
no  countenanco  in  the  marts  of  k\ii'itimate  comniei'ce  or  amon^' 
the  men  whosi;  pre-eminiMit  acliieveiiioats  ha\e  ])laced  \\>  in  the 
])osition  of  one  of  tho  (Ji-cat  I'owers  of  tho  AV^orld. 

If  we  //ii(.st  havo  luipiiry,  let  it  bo  open,  straii^ht forward,  re- 


it'- 


H^   1 


'  i-  ». 


i  » 


'8    , 


17(5 


TIIK   COMMKlU'lAIi  AGENCIES. 


s|)(tnsil»lo,  iiilL'lli<fent,  interested  iiKjuiry,  !ifiFni-<ling  facilities  to  l)otli 
Creditor  and  Debtor,  Unyer  and  Seller,  iiinena])le  to  both,  and  rei^u- 
lated  by  Law;  an  liKpiirv  befitting  the  maidiness  (tf  the  American 
character,  and  recoi^nizin;^  its  iitness  to  be  juduvd  by  the  hi^'hest 
standard:^  of  busiuessj  i»robity  and  cuniiuerciul  Luiiur, 


u? 


ii  I 


I  botli 
i_i;'liost 


'  m 


if^ 


mi^ 


!     3        V'V> 


;-JI 


NEW-YOIIK  CITY. 


A- 
A- 
A- 
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A- 

A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
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A- 


I.  .  . Pawnbroker. 

P Ui-t.  t'loIllini,^ 

(}.  W St<,ck8. 

•  J.  Ti Cotton  IJrokfrs. 

.1.  K H.  U.  Contractor. 

&  C Ilotpl. 

&  ir Com'n  Flour. 

J.  S Iii(lia-Uiil>l)er  Broker. 

J Beor  Siiloon. 

N I'aintcr. 

5.  &  Sou Tailors. 

A. .  Ilct.  Hats  and  Men's  Ftirn'jr. 

■  P Hoots  anil  SIiohh. 

&  C . .  .('oni'n  Tol).  and  Cig. 

H.  X Sewinij  M.  Findings. 

(" '.  .Mnfr.  Boxes. 

(i.  B.  . .  .Wliol.  Wines  and  Liq. 

.1.  II Stoves,  etc. 

1 1 Watches. 

<!.  &  Sou Wheehvrijihts. 

.1 Tailor. 

W.  A.  &C(> Teas. 

B.  F.  .Coni'n  Prod,  and  Confec. 

•  S.  .M Glass  Stainer. 

W.  C Bottles,  etc. 

W.  ]•: Prov. 

W.  H.,  ,Ir Pickles,  etc. 

■  U k  Co Clieniiculs. 

■  II.  M.  &  Co Li()Uors. 

•  McII &  Co..  .Stock  Brokers. 

■  1{.  W.  &  Co liUinbor,  etc. 

6,  A Jobbers  and  Ret. 

Cloths. 

■  &  Co .Jewelry. 

■  M.  M Bet.  Fancy  Goods,  etc. 

•  M Coni'n  Triin'gs. 

■  M Jobber  Jewelry. 

■  W Tailor. 

•  A Flour. 

•  I W Founders. 

•  F Artificial  Flowers, 

.  s &  Co Flour  Mills. 

•  J Saloon. 

■  &  D Leaf  Tobacco. 

-U.  F Coal. 


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J.  G.  II Liquors. 

\-  F Gro. 

iV;  B Coui'n  Flour  and 

Storaj,'(!. 

A:  F Sugar  Ui-tincrs. 

W.  C K.  E.  Broker. 

F P Co 

W.  K.  &  Co Sprinnr  Beds. 

W.  II BuiUler. 

L Boots  and  Shoes. 

M Bet.  Millinery. 

&  Co Drugs. 

C.  (*.  &  Co Mnfg.  Jeweller.-^. 

B &  Co Befrigerators. 

('.  C Stock  Broker. 

Mrs.  V. .  .lloopskirtsand  Fancy 

(roods. 

C Watches. 

Bet.  Boots  and  Shoes. 


(J. 
II 
J. 
1) 
II 
J. 
L- 


H Drugs. 

Sons JoblxTS  Bopc. 

B.  &Co Printers'  Ink. 

T.  &  Co Furniture. 

and  P Co 


A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 


■  &  Co Tobacco. 

■  &  S Lumber,  etc. 

•  (J.  B.  &  Co Stock  Brokers. 

•  E.  S Wine  and  Fruit. 

■  Bros Ins.  Agents. 

■  U Felt  Horse  Cloths. 

•  &  J Jobbers  Hosiery. 

•  C. .  .Optician  and  Mathematical 

lusts. 

•  Bros Hojia  and  .Malt. 

■  &  Co Ui>holsterer3. 

&  K • Bet.  I).  G. 

•  &  II Bectifiers. 

-  J.  C Tailor. 

-G.  B.,  Jr.,  Agent Bet.  Hats. 

T Co 

B Co 


American  B- 
Anierican  B- 
American  ('- 
American  D- 
American  E- 
Americau  F- 


■Co. 

-D- 
{'- 
Co. 


^m  hJ- 


i 


Co. 
■Co. 


p 


ISO 


TJIK   CuM.Mi;i:C]AIi    ACKNCli:?' 


■Il  ■ 


i 


li 


I 


m 


•^ 

1 

1 

1 

k 

1 

Ai 
A I 
I 
Ai 
Ai 
Ai 
Ai 
A I 
Ai 
A> 
Ai 
Ai 

Ai 
Ai 

Ai 
A 

A 
A 
A 
A 
A 
A 
A- 
A 
A 


M 


lien II  r D- 

ricuii    (i- 

Co. 

ricaii  (J— 
linin  M— 
rii'iiii  1' — 
i'i(  III)  I' 
rici  M  I* 

ricu'i  '' li- 

linin  P 1'- 

ricaii  1' Co 

ricaii   S S 

Co. 

lic-iin  S K- 

riiiiii  S — 
riciiii  \N'- 
ricau  '/• — 


Co. 


W- 


aiul 


C.i 


]{- 


A- 

A- 
A- 
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A- 


-  Co. 

Co IMuting. 

-  1' Co. 

Co. 

n H.  E.  AffiMit. 

A:  T . .  .l)ni;jgit<ts'  Sundries. 

J.  II Cnl)int'tiiialu'r. 

A I'rt'Hs  IJoonis. 

,1.  C Jeweller. 

.1 Driiyf. 

S Whol.  llat.s,  ete*. 

\V Croekery. 

iV  Co Sliippiiijr. 

Murliinerv, 

C.  ]■: !!et.  Milliiierv. 

v'v  S Whol.MilliiierV. 

(i.  X l>rii;;>i. 

K.  C TuikiHli  HatlLS. 

W.  15.,  Aireiit Li(iii()rs. 

A li Co.  ..bolt  Hooliiijr. 

.) Het.  ]).  (1. 

iV  Co Suslies  and  IJliiidH. 

i\:  (i Jobbers  Jewelry. 

A Ladies'  l'nder<iariuents. 

S.  H.  .Peddler  Millinery  Goods. 

L.  L.   F Tob.  and  Ci;,'. 

]{ Tobaffo  Broker. 

A tshipijiiifjf  and  Coin'ii 

C.  S  Wliol.  Li(inorfi. 

W.  A Het.  Huts  and  Caps. 

J.  1 Teas,  etc. 

W.  T Fruit  Dealer. 

P Co Mnfrs.  Pianos. 

T \;  Co.  .Shipping  and  Com. 

A.  J Stables. 

J.  (J Li(i.  and  Hes't. 

J.  F,..  .Coffees,  Teas,  and  Spiees. 

T.  W Stove.s. 

E.  V.  &Co Printers. 

&;  B . .  .Saddles  and  Harness. 

]. Clotliintr. 

J.  ic  \V Mufrs.  Hats  and 

Caps. 

J.  K Feed. 

■  Mt'tr.  Co <ias  Fixtures. 

i!i:  W Essential  Oils  and 

Dni.us. 
J.  &  L Kut.  Men's  Furn'y. 


A &  A— — .Mnfr.'^.  and  Coin.  Mers. 

A S.  .I...Mnfr.  Ladies'  Lnderwear. 

A II (i  lass  and  Frames. 

A N Paper  i-ollarH. 

A F Co Mnfrs.  Felt. 

A S .Mnl'r.  Ladies'  Suits. 

A (i.  A Shirts. 

A .M Mnfr.  Caps. 

A iV  H Plninl.er.s. 

A P Uet.  Fancy  (foods. 

A A:  .\ .  .  ..Mnlrs.  I,adies'  Suits. 

A iV  li ...Mnlrs.  Luce  and  Hair 

(ioods. 

A \V.  T Fruit. 

A A-  M Hotel. 

A A.  I> I'udeitaker. 

A 1. Wet.  .Millinery. 

A W.  15 Li(|uors. 

A iV  T Hardware. 

A iV  15 Stationery. 

A '1'.  H Li(|Uor8. 

A T.  \  Co   Com'n  Prod. 

A K.  .M 1{.  E.  Broker. 

A T.  S Mnfr.  White  Lead. 

A C.  15.  iV  Co .Mnfrs.  Hibbous. 

A J (ierinan  l'"ruit  and  Prod. 

A 1 Who!.  Clothimr. 

A J (Iro. 

A AV.  I" .Vuction  Fancy  Hoods. 

A P Co. 

A 11 and  (I Co. 

A S V P Mnfir.   Co. 

A J Metropolitan  Bakery. 

A <i.  W Litho<rrapher. 

A ']" Coppersmith. 

A A:  Co l'ai)er  Fashions. 

A J Printer. 

A A Mnfr.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

15 C.  B.,  Jr Tailor. 

15 J.  A Plated  Ware. 

B ]•].  k  Son Leaf  Tobacco. 

B ]5ids i!et.  Clothinjy. 

B S &  Co Imps.  \Vindow 

(J  lass. 

B S Mnfr.  15almonil  Skirts. 

B Bros Jobbers  Cloth. 

B M.  iM.  &  C( Furs. 

B E.  F Jol)l)er  Cloth. 

15 Bros (ill^burllers. 

B &  K Pianos. 

B J Peddler  1).  O. 

B M Het.  Hats. 

B &  M Note  Brokers. 

B M.  B li.  E.  A^ent. 

B H Shippinjj;  and  (.  om'n. 

15 (i.  F Mnfir.  Jeweller. 

B &  B Silvevplaters. 

15 &  C Marble. 

B 11.  E Mnfr.  Cane  Fibre. 

15 H Sprimr  Beds. 

U H.  &  Son. . ; li.  E.  Brokers. 


TIIK   SYSTKM    KXI'OSKD. 


181 


U i^-  (' .  .FIkIi,  Pmv.  nn<l  I'rml. 

M— \'  Co C.Kil  Hi<.kitH. 

II K.  J . .  .Li(iiiiir  Hiiikcr. 

II (' HlltttT  llllil  Clici'.-'t'. 

1$—  A.  I'' liiiiiilicr. 

n .1.  11 lIiiiiMc  Fmn'jr. 

!'- Hrort.  A:  ("o Kspri'ss. 

H U.  J SyriipH,  etc. 

IJ l» (■„. 

n <}.  II Hosiory. 

n HroH Miifrs.  Sliirls. 

H (i.  iV  .1. . .  .liii])H.  Ucrniaii  liiiii-n. 

n ('.  (' Miifr.  Sliirts. 

H V Mnfr.  Ostrit-h  iM-iitlicirt. 

\l U.  it  V Prod,  anil  ("oiu'ii. 

11 iV  (} Ludics'  I'lKliTgur- 

lllflltH. 

n HroH Sliippinj,'  iiiid  ("oiu'ii, 

I'll IV.,  etc. 

11 J I{<'t.  Ciotliinii:. 

H J.  S Miilr.  lliUH  anil  Capn. 

H F.  J Uestaurunt. 

n H.  F llniisn  Furn'j^  (iiiinlrt. 

l\ HroH   t'lothiiiir. 

15 'I' tV  H t'o 'rriiHscs 

n 1' t'oiitractnr. 

]i S Hi't.  Cliitliins,'. 

n 1 Mrtal  Honf.T. 

r. \V.  .1 Wii^siuid  Hair. 

U HriiH Lunilicr,  t^tc. 

IJ 1.  F O.in'n  I'rod. 

I! L Mnfr.  Clothinj,'. 

B M (iri). 

1! ().  H Mnfr.  Skirts. 

15 S.  \V Bankt-r. 

15 ('.  X.  &  Co liankcr.H. 

15 1.  T.  \-  Sims.. . .  Wood  and  ("oal. 

15 (' Mnfr.  Cifj^ar- Boxes. 

B J.  () Paint  Broker. 

B P Printer. 

15 Hros Itet.  Men's  Fiirn'j,'. 

15 li.  W.  &  Son Canned  Sou]). 

1$ i»c  B 1).  0.  Brokers  and 

Coni'n  Mers. 

n k  J Fruits. 

B I Pawnbroker. 

B J.  .Foreijjn  and  Doniestii;  Fruit. 

B J Uet.   Boots  and  Shoes. 

I! S.iS:  M Leaf  Tol). 

15 •  it  K Furniture. 

15 it  Son Foreign  Fruits. 

15 A.J liiiiuors. 

15 (i.  W Watches,  Chains,  etc. 

15 C Baker. 

B it  Co Sliipiiinn:  and  Coiu'n. 

B C Manfr.  Clothiiii,'. 

15 T Hotel. 

B J Tailor. 

B C.  &  Co Bookbinders. 

B J Butcher. 

B S.Il Uro. 


B it  Sons Founders. 

B F,  .1 l>vewiii)ds. 

B P iV  11 Dvlin-  etc. 

B 1.  II hiauKinds. 

B it  B .Mnfrs.   Slu.es. 

B J Paper,  etc. 

H .],  \V l,ii|Uors. 

B Bros Flour  and  Feed. 

B M I'ipirrt. 

B C Coni'n. 

B —    -  II.  K Ii)bl)er  and  Coiu'n. 

B it  S lubbers  Tea. 

B :•  S Mnfrs.  .bwelry. 

B— -  (1.  Z Bottles. 

P K Sad.llery. 

B W.  II Tailor. 

B ('.  B Uepairer  .lewelry. 

B 1.  B Butler,  ( 'heese,  etc. 

B J.  E Donu'sfif  (iloves. 

B M Stoves. 

B I.  it  F Leaf  Tobacco. 

B W Bet.  Shoos. 

B A it  Co. . ,  .>Infrs.  Clothinif. 

B W.  A Coiu'n  Tobacco. 

B A Artificial   l''lo\v(!rs. 

B ]•].,  Est.  of House  Furn'jif. 

B 1 liet.  I).  (1. 

B P 1).  (J. 

B .M Co Atr'l  Iniplts. 

B 1.  A ...Clocks. 

15 T.  it  Son PrintiMS. 

B T.  II.  it  Co Fishiii.ir  Tackle. 

B S it  Co.  ...Mnfrs.  Straw  (Jd.s. 

B it  Co  Patent  Meds. 

B it  Co lubliers  Tea. 

B «'.  M Wool  Broker. 

B F.  W Teas. 

B A Broker  I).  (». 

B E Furnitiiro. 

15 Bros. .  ..Mnl'rs.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

B it  F Oro. 

B A Teas. 

B it  Co Ship])inL,''  and  Coni'n. 

15 M.  fr  Co Manfrs.  Shins  and 

Drawers. 

B it  K Willowware. 

B 11.  H Banker. 

B W.  C (irain  Broker. 

B Iv  \\'.  it  Co Furniture. 

B J.  C.  it  Sons Chandlers. 

H S C T Co. 

15 s E Co.   • 

15 (i.  1) Liiiuor  Broker. 

B— • —  B Pipes  and  Tobacco. 

B .M Uet.  Fancy  (iood.s. 

B M Auctiop.iu'r. 

B S Painter. 

B L.  P.  &  Co Stock  Brokers. 

B E.  R Af^eiit  Furniture. 

B W.  D Mnfr.  Bonnets. 

B N.  B Painter. 


\Sm 


n  if 

)'^'<    v 

182 


■rili;   tOMMEUClAI,   AtiKNClKS. 


13 


M 


.  ImpH.  Ti)V«,  etc 
|{.  U.  Tir^. 


H- 


U- 
H- 
H- 
11- 


H- 
U- 


H- 

H- 
U- 
U- 
H- 


n- 


n- 


n- 


15- 

«- 

15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 


w 
1 

.  11.  .\;  C. 

.M.  \-  Son 
W.  \  Co 
I 

15 

I. 

.  . . .MiilV.-i.  l.iif-s 

l''.Mll)l'oilll' 
(  'oi>| 

A. 

s. 

K 

KoimI   1><u 

llollliro|iiillii('  .M 
Colloii    liio 

A   

ollliiTH  ImiIU'V  <  ii 
l'u|)rr  ( 'o 

I 

llllil  C 

. . Artilii'iiil  I'loM 

{' 

I/H|l 

,1 

l>liiii 

\\ 

.  1, 

Di 

\\ 

M 

llanlw 

\ 

(»V> 

I 

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...Ill- 

(', 

1 

.('iitlicr  mill  1' iiiil 

«). 

'I'ol.i 

A.  \  Soil. . 
A.  11.  iV  I'ci 

\;  (J _.  .. 

1..  i\:  T.  11, 
iV  Ulr) 

1!.  K.  Hiol 

S.  M.  N.T 

Com'ii  I'l 

U.  !•;.  15i<.l 

\\ 

.  X 

lliii'il« 

1' 

{.' 

Liiji 

J 

\V 

I'aii 

J 

Ij'kh 

s.  ^c 

A   

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.M 

Till 

A.  \-  .1 . . . . 
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.Miilr.s.  Curlfil  1 
Hiuf 

1 

.  Het.  Fiuicv  (i< 

W 

.  II 

H 

(i 
1, 

P . . . 

11 

V 

Slaiiifil  (■ 

. Nii'k.l  \V. 

15nis.s\vo 

\\ 

s 

.Miifr   lliiir  <ii 

A. 
J. 

c 

w 

Ti 

Ttiilor, 

I.  Jr.  \-  Co. 
.1.  A.  \  Co. 
J.  \-  Co... 
it  15 

.  ..Com'n  Cotton, 

Pliiiiil 

Car])tii 

lict    Clot! 

&  Co 

(icn'l  Co 

I'r. 


anil 


i'iIh. 


Ill  II. 


llaiH 
iilTs. 
I'l'i'.-*. 

II  H'S. 

iImt. 

■IIKS. 
tiro. 


IriH. 


H'li'S. 


(il'O. 

ari'. 


llliT. 


tin 


liirr. 


ilor. 

ftC. 

etc. 
)('rH. 
iters, 
liiiij^. 
iiii'n. 


15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 


&lv— 

W.  II. 
I!.  T 
W 

^^ 

(! 


.M 


iil'ra.  I'lastiiiii 


ti 


I  111! 


V 

V 

Ui,-t.  11 

lis,  Cliitliii 
Hiiilil. 

.11  t 

..  .Hut. 

Boots  and 

.  &  Co 

lliiniai 

. .  .Men's  1 

.K.  K.  15iolur. 
Hair. 
1,'.  cti'. 
■r,  ell'. 
Storks. 
Slioi's. 
1  Hair, 
"urn'g. 


15 


—  c.  I'... 

—  c.  w.. 

•• 

.  .  .  .Ul'HtUI 
1 

c.  I'... 

1  .iiii*n  4  \ 

.M 

Hros 

C.  A.  iV  H. 

Ii.  (Sl  Sons 

ii.;." 

Il'Wl 

. .  ..riiilcrli 

inker, 
iraiit. 

'll|ilT. 

illars. 
.Meat. 


K.  A, 


I'lOll. 

.  Leaf  'rolinrro. 


I lolilirr  .'^liirls. 


J.  I' 


■  Sho-  l''iiuliiii,'> 
Kill 


<l 


15 \'  \V 


iiiKs. 
I< Tani'V  tiodils. 


.Kisli. 


15- 


1> Mils.'.  Hroker. 

1. ...'.. .  .Li'iitlirr  anil  Kiiiiliiifjs. 

II lint,  liiiots  ami  SliiH^s. 

C.  II.  iV  Co Mroki-rs  anil 

Dealers  Syrups,  ete. 


,  liel.  lioots  ami  SI 


(i 

S.  T 

1.- 

\V 1 

Z.  K 1' 

I   15- 


A.  V 


15- 


iiiaker. 
t  orks. 
ijiiorH. 
'ainlH. 
rintcr. 
Artists'  Muleriiils. 
Iilreii's 
rwear. 


15- 
15- 


15- 
15- 


15- 


15- 
15- 
B- 


1). 

15 

&  A 

I'mli! 
.Leaf  To 

J. 

Mr.l.  iVCi) 

To 

liaceii  Inspi 
T,  a  15 

J. 

II 

15ro.s 

Can 

(i- 

iV  Co. 

.  ..Sliippii 

,1 

( 
11a  11 

(i 

(.iilili 

i; 

1 

<i. 

\ 

I  'niliri'l  til 

S !* 

1 1' 

&  1 . . . . 

i-;  -  - 

•• 

.Boiillit  F 

Miifr  ( 

M 

( 

L. 

11 

\  Co 

... 

.  .Tol).  an 
I,i( 

1 

Hi 

•t. 

Boots  mill 

(i 

I/i 

,1 

Ci 

s 

.H 

•t.  Kaiiev  ( 

A. 
15 

iS;  Co 

J 

.Mnlrs.  Je 
Kill  ( 

15. 
H 

. .  ..Coin'n  V 

i)reij;ii  1).  ( 
Bi 

Mis.  M 

I 

A.k  Co 

Vh 

Ml' 

.  .Het.  Fai 
et.  I'-micv  ( 
..Men's  K 
Irs.  Fiiiifri 
....Pcnei^ 

1- 

c 

&  H— 

Kloiir. 
I'ltors. 

loklT. 

NVi.ol. 
■iii;;e.s. 
\f;  ami 
'oin'ii. 


r,  etc. 

lioiikH. 

I,  etc. 

toves. 


rallies. 

V-ars. 

'ollll'L'. 

il  t  'i.ir. 
i|iiors. 
Sillies. 
iijiiorH. 
ir|iets. 
liooils. 
welry. 
iloves. 
Hoods, 
ler. 
lev  (i. 


itel 


iiooiis. 

'urn'K. 
i'8, 1'te. 
Is,  etc. 
Tailor. 


iV^-^ 


TUK   .SVSTKM    KXl'U.SKD. 


ISJ 


F Ki'Mtiiiiraiit. 

S Hit.  Nliot'K  ami  'rriiiik-'. 

■I.  V.  ti  (.'(I.  . .  .l'uwiil)ri)ki'r.-i  iiinl 
l>iain<iiii|   t>i'alri-s. 

iv  r  Stuck  llnikfrM. 

('.  W Slii|i|(iiii,'  anil  ('(itii"ii. 

I'.  It Mntr.  I'oi'krflMinkr*. 

n (• Tullnr. 

H U IJcpack.-r  Kriiil. 

U i\:  II 'ri'iiiiiMiM).rH. 

H I' rriiiiiiiiii;;H. 

H W.  .1.  iV  * ' liii|H.   j.iiifiiH, 

Wliilf  (!i)ci(ls,  I'te. 

H I (Iro. 

I) |< A:  Co It.  K.  Urc.k.TH. 

H <1.  iV  *'<) \in'ii()iircrH. 

H J.  II.  \-  Hri. liot.-l. 

H iSrC I{.t.  I).  U. 

H ]•].  A:  Co I'lun'n  Cuttoii. 

H k  Cn I'"maiicial  A,i,'<'ntH. 

H iV  Hi-i) Tiiiwan'  tuid  HunfiT.H. 

B H Tailor. 

H .1 1'ianoH. 

iJ ,1 Hardware. 

H li iV  Co ItiipH.  ToyH,  etc. 

H \V.  II Ilakiiif:  I'owdiT,  «'tc. 

H M ( 'ci Sodii  ApiHiratuH. 

IJ II    Sliip  Ciiaiidicr. 

Uros.  iV  ( 'ii Hay.M. 

I TobarC'). 

11.  K Hotel. 

iS:  \V Orj^aiiH. 


B \V.  T. 


.  Varuish. 


< '  iV  ( 'o Stovt'H. 

H I''.  A:  Co IiiipH.  rpliolsti-ry. 

H S.  Sou I'riiitcr.s'  IJolicrs. 

U .\ Coiii'ii  l<i(|ii()rH. 

H I Hit.  Millinery. 

]\ 1.  C Ui't.  Jloots  and  Slioe.M. 

H 1'.  .1 Cij.'ars. 

li .1.  iV  Co.  .  ..Sliii>i)in>;  and  Coiii'ii. 

]\ II Tinsiiiitli. 

IJ (i.  \-  Co HookH. 

H C t  'om'ii  Hroom  Corn,  etc. 

H <>.  1' WiiieH. 

B &  Co |{.   !•',.  Auctioneers. 

B &  W \Vli<d.  l,i(|uorH. 

B A..) liak.r. 

n \V SaiJMiiik.T. 

I] 1.  \V I'erfuuierv. 

B iV  S (ir;>. 

B ,1 llor.se.slmeinj,'. 

B M Sliirt.-^. 

B C.  .Ir Hot.  Fancy  (iood.x. 

J} C.  S House  Furu'g  (foods. 

B &V ...Oils. 

B S.  Sou  &  Co..(iernian  Prod.,  etc. 

B (J Toys. 

B II Iol)ber  Men's  Fiirii'ir. 

B 1 Ciffars. 

J5 S.  II.  iS:  Co Jobbers  White  (J. 


K.    \V I''elt       ilshioilS. 

—  W <  'arria;;e  'I'r.iii'Ks. 

C.    F ....I'riiiter. 

I.  iV  Hr lilt.    Fancy  (foods. 

\  H Imps,  and  .loliliers 

I''»IICV  ( iooiU. 
- —  i\  U I>.  (J.,  etc. 

K — —  &  Co .Mnfrs.  Sliirls, 

it  Co I''e,'d  and  Oraiii. 

A;  S ltd.  Cjotliin^,'. 

S |{ct.  Shoes. 

it  (> I'ianos. 

Uros Wet.   FVy  iukI  I ».  (I. 

U.  S ( 'oiu'n  I'rod. 

A.  ,1 I)   (i. 

F.  M liel.  Winis  an<l  l.ii|. 

it.  N l,ii|iiors, 

I lol.lH.r   l».  (). 

Mros ,)()l)bcrs  Hosiery. 

B l/upiors. 

I NN'iiicH  and  \Ai\. 

I. Tailor.s'  Triin'ys. 

S,  \  Mro Sioves  and  Tins, 

-  A:  C \,ri\{  'I'obacco. 

F,.,  ,)r Mnlr.  I'liinis, 

.1.  A |{et.  Faces 

NV Miifr.  Trunks,  etc. 

H Coal, 

H.  M Wliol.  Straw  (). 

1. Straw  (ion Is. 

Hfos .Medicines. 

F (iro. 

(i.  M Watilies. 

A Stoves. 

Mrs.  .1 Coal. 

&']' . . .  .lloin(i'opatlii<;  Mo.  k^ 

anil  .Med. 

A.  \V Cabinet-maker. 

C.  I, Xoti',  Slock,  and  (iol  I 

l5roker. 

S.  M Siock  Broker. 

iV  (t Stationery,  etc. 

.1.  I Ret.  Men's  Fnrii';,'. 

T I{et.   I),  (i. 

— *-  iV'  S Furidture. 

•  II (Jr.). 

.V  M Mineral  Waters. 

K.  I) Five;y  Stal>le. 

C Caliiiwtiiikr. 

.1 Toys,  Whips,  etc. 

W.  F Paper  Warelioiise. 

I> Imp.  Italian  and  French 

I'rod. 

T I'iiijxfaver,  etc. 

iV'  I' Mnt'is.  Ciirars. 

J''.  .Ir.  it  Bro I'iaiiot'orte.t. 

—  .1.  it  Co Stock  IJfoker.s. 

—  S.  W.  &  Co Stock  B'-oker.s. 

—  H.  II Hank.M-. 

—  it  I) Presses. 

B n Painter. 


'    '  > 


'I  ! 

'•';  ■' 
* », 
'1 

(i 
t. 


)     "\ 


;H''  u. 


aim 


'••I, 


'm   'i'> 


I     I 

i 


.1 


AiVl,„.,4. 


1st 


'['UK   COMMEIJCIAL  AOEN'CIES. 


il^ 


>'     i 


i{ 

H- 
J5- 
15- 
li- 
IJ- 
1!- 
H- 
B- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 

r.- 

15- 
15- 
15- 
IJ- 
15- 
15- 


15- 
15- 
15- 


15- 
15- 


S. 


1, 
\- 

■M 
i^; 
11 
I', 
V 
T. 
I-. 
]■'. 
0 
L. 
iV 

& 
A. 


, Boilcriiikr. 

-. .  .('roclvcry,  Chinnwarc, 

cic. 

.  ..lobber  lints  and  Ciips. 

'I'liilor.s. 

lift.  Fancy  (Joods. 

-. .  .  .I'rhitfi's  iind  Stul'rs. 

Ht'sliuiraiit. 

C'luiiU'd  Fruits. 

Ti.ilor. 


J''. S.  Am.  Coni'ii. 

Tailor. 

1',. .  .(oiu'u  llivot.«,  15olis,  etc. 
Li(|U()r.s. 

(ho. 

F ("ahiuc'tinkiH. 

&  ("o Coin'ii  I'roil. 

Z <.'i)tt<in  Hrnkci's. 


-F. 
-J. 
-& 

-  IV 

-  W 
-,J. 
-\V, 


,1. 
I). 


li- 
15- 
I!- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
15- 
15- 


15- 
15- 
B- 


I'c  Co (.'om'u  Flour  and 

(■rain. 
(' Com'n  Fnrs. 

LiqnorH. 

S .  .  .  .Auction  and  Com'n. 

Ui;t.  Fancv  (ioods. 

Ml Hct.  C'lothiiiy:. 

!M Com'n  Fancy  (ioods. 

.  J.  &  Co. . .  .Ih'Uff  am'  Ciicmi- 

cai  Hrokcrs. 

I'atternmkr. 

.1.  iV  Uro Iron  Hnilimrs. 

Crock.Tv. 

(i MntV.  Nkiits. 

I'v'  S ■ \VlK'(d\vi-iij;l>tH. 

.1.  \V (irain.  Feed',  etc. 

U II.  Tc.i  Co. 

iV  (i Jobht'i's  Flour. 

\V.  .1 Iron. 

l'\....Mnlr.  Cldldrt'n'a  Carriages. 

'1'.  W Tip  I'riniinir. 

K.  .\ Com'n  Fancv  (ioods. 

Bros l^'t.  1).  ({. 

J.  A Sail  Duck. 

I'] House  Furn'ir. 

.1.  S Eimnivini^s. 

S.  1, '.Huildcr. 

1' iV  Co Ciirriairi's. 

A.  1' lift.  Men's  Furn'^'. 

&T Fruit  Brokers. 

SiO Wliol.  (fro. 

(' KindlinLr-^^'<>^'d. 

J Bet.  Hats. 

A:  Son 1 'enlists. 

N.  S .lewelry. 

P Li(|uor  Broker. 

C.  v.. .  .  .  Hackgiimmnnand  CIu'sh 

15o;irds. 

\\\  V iV'  Co. . .  .Com'n  Wines 

anil  Ijiij. 

P. Hotel. 

F.  .V  Co DyestutTs. 

II Ilet.  Fancv  (ioods. 


B- 


.1.  (i 


.Carpent(•r^ 


•  F 


urnitnre. 


B- 


F Stationery,  etc, 

(> Foreiffu  Fruit. 


15- 


.B 


Coal  C 
.1 


Huilder. 
ookseller. 

.1 


i(luor.s. 
iiptorH. 
Co Litlio^rapliers  and 


I 


I' 


rinters. 


B Son  &  Co.  .Shij'pinfT  and  Com'n. 


F.  1 


15- 


.1.  &Co 

,1.  A 

Manlr.s.  Vt 

(}.  H.  iV  Son. 
J.  B.  &C...... 

N.  S 

liiirdx^ 

Cani; 

U.  J5.  &  C(.. . 
N.  11 

Pajier  St 

Ship  lii( 

C.  I 

&  M         

...Jobber  Millii 
1 

.1. 


.(iernuui  Silver 


V.W 1), 


'rod. 
are. 


iker. 


ware. 


W.  Jr.  &C 
.1.  \V 


.Mnfrs.  B.  \-  S. 


.B 


uiider. 


1>.  B Com'n  Iii(iuors 

Van  V- 
H 


iV'  Co.  .Stock  Broke 


.1. 


(J.  II. 
M... 


.Coal. 


Tob 


Bros Furs,  etc. 

F...Exchanf;u  and  Ticket  Otlice. 

S Mnl'r.  Trimminos. 

iV  Co Scroll  Mill. 

li Bet.   Hats,  etc. 

Moulds. 

'i]>l>injr. 


H U 

1!.  D.iV  J.  r SI 

( '.  C Bet.  Hoots  and  Shoes. 

L.  \'  Son Bet.  15.  &  S. 

iV  N\' /iiuworkers. 


A.  K 
( '.  A 


.I']xchanf;o  Broker. 
.Knreka  Solvent. 


I)e  W.  C ColKe-P^ 


B- 

15- 
15- 


ots. 
linist. 
S Com'n  (irain. 


.Mad 


.1.  B..\\'.  I.  Shippin.^i:  andC 


.). 


.15r 


■ners  supplies. 


.1 Clothiii 


B L 

15 M . 


Bet.  Hats. 

.1.  H Hats,  Caps,  Furs,  etc. 


Dm 


Tail( 


,i;s. 


M Mnfr.  Shirts 

M.  15 lob  Printer. 

M.  P !'.bber  Fancv  (ioods. 


B B Laces. 

H U.  ,) Mnfr.  Cacks. 

B T.  E Contra<aor. 

15 W.  A.  Jr.'Leather  and  Findiufrs. 


B- 


A.  &  F 


.Machinists. 


TIIK   SYSTiar    EXrOSKI). 


185 


mys. 
Mill. 
■',  vxc. 
lulds. 

il)ln}r. 

Shots. 
1.  iS:  S. 

kiTS. 
ikcr. 

vent. 

I'ots. 
Iiinist. 

iiaii). 

'oiirii. 

ililk'S. 
liiiit;'. 
1 1  iU  s. 
M'tC. 

)iii,as. 
ir,  t'ic. 
ShirlH. 
inter, 
ioods. 

LtlCI'H. 

Clicks, 
•lie  lor. 
dintrs- 
iiiistH. 


•  Hrns l{et.  ('lotliiiic. 

■  K.  K.  &  Co KiiveloiifS. 

.1.  &  Son. .  .Hankers  siiul  Ai,'(  iits. 

S.  &  Co llidi!  Hr'oki'rs. 

\V.  Sons.  .Lighters  imd  Towinj^. 

•  AV.  Son  &  Co Coin'u  Wools. 

■  i\:  ("o lleiitinjj  Ai)i)ariitiis. 

&  Co Stock  Urokers. 

().  F Saloon. 

.1.  F.k<i.  11.  15 Mii>ical 

liistrunients. 

P—  M W S ( 'o. 

J.  ii.  it  Hro Hunkers  ami 

Hrokers. 

II.  L.  &  Co Woolens. 

W.  M Printer. 

C \-  Co Coin'n  I'rod. 

&  Co Shipoiui!;  and  Coni'n, 

Flour  and  (irain. 

Mr.-i.  I) Het.  Fancy  (ioods. 

J IM.  1).  (i. 

.\ Whol.  ClothinfiT- 

H.  M Croekery. 

&  K M  n  f  rs.  Clot  h  <  'aps. 

&  M Caliinetinkrs. 

(' liiqu  irs. 

F Tailor. 

'I' Card  l^nifraver. 

(i.  \-  Co Mnt'rs.  Cloth  Caps. 

.1 Het.  ClothinMf. 

■  C.  L Storage,  eic. 

.1 1'pholsterer. 

II lewuller. 

M.  F.liet.  Hats,  Caps,  Furs,  etc. 

it  Co I'ajier. 

(" Costunu's, 

.1 Mer.Tuih.r. 

W &  L Co. 

J.  A.  &  Co Stock  Hrokers. 

it  F Huilders. 

h Het.  ClothiniT. 

A.  W Lumber. 

W.  11 Li(iuors. 

M- —  Co. 

F (Iro. 

F.  S   Stationery. 

M.  V.  iV  Co tiro. 

it  I! Imps.  Lacrs. 

{'.(' Iiciot'er. 

T Het.  Hoots  an<l  Shoes. 

F.  A.  it  Co Hardware,  etc. 

H it  L .  .Siio-ar  Heliners. 

L Het.  H.  and  S. 

1'^  I),  it  I'o.  .  .  .Flour  and  (iiaiii. 

F H.I.  Meat. 

W.  L Het.  Hats,  Caps, 

Furs,  etc. 

.1 D.skmkr. 

it  McC . . .  .Com'ii  (iraiu  and 

Flour. 
J Carpenter. 


•  Mine.  l-'i.  F Millinery. 

F.  .M.  it  Co CarriaLte  rpli(il. 

stery. 

■  (i.  W.  it  F.  A.  .  .  .Furniture  and 

I'^N  press. 

■  A.  S iSet.  .Men's  Furn';,'. 

H Oysters. 

■  'I' Liipiors. 

-  1!.  iV  \V Irwellers. 

•  (i.  L L'et.  Clothin;,'. 

H Carriaires. 

■  1> Lamps. 

T Old  Iron. 

-  it  I' Sewinir  .Miu'liines. 

-  I' '.Haw  Silk.s. 

■  H tiro. 

•  (i.  .\ Paints. 

-  H.  T.  it  Co I'ati  lit  .Metallic 

White  Wire. 

•  .I..T Leather. 

■  it  ,1 ,  Ajrcuts  for  H Hros. 

■  F.  it  Co Tinilier. 

■J.  A l.'Weller. 

•  \.  T Coni'n  Paper. 

-  F Imii.  Crockery. 

.M.  ,1 Lii|iiois. 

■  W.  H.,  Fsiate  .,t' Stoves. 

■  it  Co I>ruLrs. 

•  it  H— — ■. .  ..Ihiildeis'  lianUvare. 
•it, I Paper. 

■  C Soap,  etc. 

(i.  W Liverv  Slaliles. 

,L  C ■ Coal. 

•  P Coal. 

H Woodiiiware,  (!tc. 

■it  I.  .  .  ..Mil  Irs.  Str:i\v  (idods, 

( ' Sho(!  FindiiiLi's. 

•C.   A Diiiirs. 

■  ,1.  C I'.iinraver. 

■  A.  i\.  it  P- — .  .Mnlrs.'  Agents, 

etc. 

Mrs.  C Het.  Men's  Fnriri;. 

F,  W Painter. 

■  l'\  .1 Liquors. 

■1.  .1 Let.  Clothiiiir. 

.M Tail.U'. 

■  W.  1' .Mineral  Waters. 

i!i"-^.  I'v  Co Hitters. 

.M Huilih^r,  etc. 

,L  H Stables. 

A I).  (L 

]•"..  ( ' ., .  . .  .Pictures. 

T Kit.  1).  (L 

L.  [■'.  it  Co .Mil Irs.  (iold 

I  liailis,  etc. 

1).  (J H.  i:.   Hroker. 

A.  M.  it  Co Stork  Hrokers. 

it  H i'rathers. 

W iV  Co Coal. 

\'— —  it  ( 'o Pianofortes. 

D Co. 


^l* 


■1' 


i  .1  :ili 


h.  A 


ISO 


THE   COMMK]i<;iAL  AGi'.NCIES. 


■  II.  <' PIuwIht. 

-A.  I'",  it  Cii Iron  FouiKlcrw. 

•  A.  F.  i*^  11.  ('..Wood  I'livcun'iits. 

■  (' l,i(]uors. 

-.) lU't.    lIlUH. 

-  (' loblicr  Straw  (foods. 

(i.  A HutcluT. 

-II Irouworker. 

■  (' Co. 

-  P iS;  (.'() Linens. 

■  P Mnfr.  IlatH. 

-  J.  T.  &  Co.  .Mnfrs.   'I'rininiinirH. 

■  A:  15 Cotton  (Joodn. 

A.J Iron  l'"oiind('r. 

■  .1 1.iciuoi's. 

S Dni^rH. 

•  K.  k,  Son Coiu'n  Prod. 

S.  ii (iro. 

.  A:  S IJuildiTs'  .Miitcriiilr;. 

A.  'J' Hooks. 

M lift.  Clo'hiiifr. 

■L .  .  .Imp.  Wines. 

■  II Wines  iind  I.i(i. 

■  I)   ..Cliinii,  (iliiss  and  Croclierv. 
11.  T Sto.k  HfokeV. 

•  S.]\Iiilstones  and  I?ollin!X  Cloth. 

•  it  \ Sliii)  lirokers. 

■  T.  J Dibiiiler. 

iV  S ('lo. 

W.  S Haidier. 

S.  it  Co Calirornia  Wines. 

]■' Com'n  Woollens. 

J Lo()kiny-(.i  lasses. 

•  1) Iron. 

■  ]•;.  1) (Jrain  Broker. 

II.,  Airent Paskels. 

•  F.  II.  iV  Co Patent  .^a.<!i 

Fasteninirs. 

it  II Coiil  and  Feed. 

it  i; Prod. 

A Iron  Pi|)e,  et<'. 

■  ,1    ( 'arjiet  Weaver. 

•  W Hides  an.l  Tallow. 

■  it  1! . .  .(,'oni'n  Foreijin  1>.  (i. 

'[' l/K|Uors. 

■A.  II Jol.lier  1).  (i. 

•  A.  L Stat'v  and  I'^uiev  0. 

.(.  II.  it  Co ' ()ils. 

.1.  F.  it  Son Tailors. 

T Li(iuois. 

I Piekles,  etc. 

■  W.  II (ien'l  Coni'ii. 

\\'.   .\ \nelioiieer. 

i;.  I{ Ket.   I),  (i. 

it  Co Imps.  Teas. 

it  ( 'o Silverplaters. 

F Tailor. 

.1 1'.leclrotyiier. 

J.   It I/ninors, 

1{.  C Anetioni'er. 

•  .1..  .Imp.  Toys  and  F'aney  Goods, 


■  C Peddlers'  Sujiidipa. 

-Mrs.  II.  J  ...  Ladies' I'nderwear. 
•J Pawnbrokers'  (ioods. 

W.  J Frnit  Proker. 

H.  &Co Whol.  (iro. 

.1 Builder. 

.1 Pawnbrokers'  (Joods. 

.\.  V.  &  Co Stock  Prokera. 

S.  .\.  &Co... Com'n  Sniallwares. 

.1.  it  Co ini])S.  and  Dealers 

Teas. 


P.  B. 


.P.  P.  Contractor. 


iitlei-lor.- 


^I Sliii)ping  and  Com'n. 

J.  F I.iijnors. 

P pet.  I,i(iuors. 


K .,  15- 


it  C 


iiil'jnnjr  am 


Com'n  \Vines  and  Prod. 


.1.  M.  &  C( 


.Sh 


iiliinm. 


d 


it  D- 


Com'n  Prod. 
.IMnfrs.   Sliiits. 


.\!.;ents  French  and 
Itidian  Prod. 


Co. 


.Slat(g. 
les,  etc. 
(>.  ^I Sewini'  Mai'hine  At- 


it  D- 


.Pick 


tad 


inienta. 


■P.  S Com'n  Prod. 

&  Co.Shippin<if  and  Com'n  Prod. 

iiinors. 
ri( 


it  C- 
II.  &  (i 


.w 


1 


p.  I 


-  M- 


c 


I.  ^nl)^llles. 


it  c 


p.  p.  Contractor.-^ 

■Co M litis.  Frame: 


A.  &  W.  &  Pro Luinher,  etc. 


W. 

it  T- 


.Stoves  and  Ti 


.  .Stat'v  and  Piinter.s. 

P.  P 15<dtin.<;- Cloths. 

Fnrnitnro. 


.M.  W 

T.  P.. 


F.  P.  it  ( ■ 
W.  L  iv  ( 
it  P . 


..Mnfr 


.Ship  1! 


rolie: 


o .Maelllllerj- 


.Mr 


I'nnteiH. 

A Artilieial  F'lowers. 


■F.  C 


.1. 


i(]uors. 
-Co. 
.Chairs  and  ( 'radles. 


J. 


('o Coin'n  Ti 


it  Co Com'n  ^^■hiskey. 

J.  W.  it  K.  &Co Whol. 

Fancv  (foods. 

M.  I ,  ...P"et.  I),  (f. 

K.  T.  it  Co Whole  sale  it 

Petail  Teas. 

1) Jlason  and  Piiilder. 

J.  S I.'eal  Instate,  etc. 


J. 


.Slan-,.; 


W 

itC 

■  J.  J.  it  Son Bankers. 


..llard> 
.Whol.  Hats. 


THE   SYSTEM    EXPOSED. 


187 


c- 
(•- 
(•- 
('- 
('- 
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V- 

('- 
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('- 
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('- 
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('- 
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( '- 
('- 
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-A.  &C'o Wlinl  B,  andS. 

-  1).  T ("idckiTv,  I'tc. 

-A.  S Hut.  Boot.s  iiud  Shoes. 

-  (}.  M Macliincrv  Airi'iit. 

-II.  B IM.  ]).  (J. 

-  iS.  E Ptiirl  lUitloiis. 

-  W .  &  Co StDcli  Brokers. 

-D FlorLst. 

-  D I'ai liter. 

-II   Li(|uor.s. 

-J.  B Teas. 

-  ,1.  M \Vai,a)iimaker. 

-  T.  II Bet.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

-  A.  &  Co (iraiii. 

-I).  W.  &  J.  1) Twines. 

-  I) &  Co Bankers. 

-  .1.  A.  &  Son 'I'ai'ors. 

-  L.  S.  «!i:  Co Jobber  Fancy 

(ioods. 
-W.  S.  &Co Live  Slock. 

-  &  II CofTee  and  Spices. 

-  &  T Ilorso  Nails. 

■  .A,  X Slii|)i)inff  and  Com'n. 

•  &  C .Mnt'rrf.  i,ace  (ioods,  etc. 

•  &  B Imps.  Laces,  etc. 

■  A Siiip  and  Freight  Broker 

■  &  K ...    Wines,  etc. 

■  .1 Cotton  and  Ccjtton  Waste. 

■  M Li(iiiors. 

-T Blueslone. 

■&  S I'aper. 

■  lS:  W Mdse.  Brokers. 

•A Wines,  etc. 

■().  B Dolhir  Store. 

■II ...  .liiiiiiors. 

•  K 1' Co PlatillJ,^ 

■  M Coui. 

•&S Coal. 

•  E.  II ^Vllol.  Li(|U()rs. 

•J.  \V Panerliaiiiiiiijjs. 

■A.  II *. Paper. 

■  O.  1} IJiiuors. 

•  J,  W Bnilder. 

■E.  P Job  Print, •!•. 

■T.  J.&  Sun Hotel. 

■  A.  M Piod.,  etc. 

■  &  \ Coin.  Prod. 

■  B.  L Mnt'r.  Neekiies. 

•J Het.  Clothinix. 

■  J Jobber  Clotliiiiir. 

•  L.  M Toys,  Stat'y,  and 

Faiicv  (i. 

M ?>Iillinery. 

S.  A Wliol.  Clolhiii';;, 

S Jobber  Clollis. 

B.  iV  Co. .  .Jobbers  Clotliiiiij:  and 
Fancy  (ioods. 

Bro:^ M'hol.  Jewelry, 

I.  &  S .  .U"t.  Hats  and  ('aps. 

A 'I'oljacco. 

Mrs.  C Jobber  Jiibbons. 


C- 
C- 

c- 

C- 
C- 

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C- 
C- 

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c- 

C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 

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C- 

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C- 

c- 
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C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 

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C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 

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C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 

('- 

C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 

c- 


- 1>.  L.  .Imp.  (ilovcs  and  Fancy  (}. 

-  L.  H Paiiiter. 

-  S liet.  Boots  and  Slioes. 

-  S Bet.  Clothin-,'. 

-  S Bet.  1).  (f. 

-  W Het.   CIothinLC. 

-  J.  &  Son Peddlers'  Supplies. 

-  A.  it  T Jobbers  Flowers. 

-I.  P Hats,  Caps,  Furs,  etc. 

-J.  H Tinware. 

-  II.  F.  iV  Co TyiJU-Foiuidrrs. 

-  iV'  C Veneers. 

-&  V .Marble. 

-  J.  B.  i\:  Co (lold  and  Stock 

Brokers. 
-&  S Coal. 

-  J.  W Wines  and  I/kj. 

-  F.  A Trees,  etc. 

■  &  S Printers. 

-O.G Sliip  Chandler. 

-  S iV-  () R.  U.  Cont'rs. 

-  (J S Co. 

-  I C<j. 

-  Mrs.  U Het.  Fancy  (}. 

-  W.  A Piano  H'ware. 

-C.  B.  &Co Coal. 

■S.  M Whol.  (iro. 

-E.  A.  &Co Brokers. 

-C Baker. 

■  C Wines,  (_'i^^ars,  etc. 

■  C Iron  and  Ste(d. 

■C.  W Butcher. 

-  C Co. 

-  1) I'^lour  Broker. 

J i.ookinir  ''lasses. 

■  >!c  (I Patent  Fire-Pioof 

Hoofers. 

■  \ Carpenter. 

-  F lii(piors. 

■  iV  Co Het.  Fancy  (ioods. 

•  I.  H Cii,'ars. 

-J.  T .Mason. 

•  J.  \.  k  Son Kindlinir-Wood 

and  ('bildren's  CariiaLjes. 

■  L.  \'.  A:  Co Iron  Founders. 

■  C ('o.  of  Maryland. 

■  lV  Co ],umb(  r  Storjii^e. 

■  F IronworkiT. 

•  X rinbrella.s. 

H iV  Co Sn^'ar  Hefiners. 

•  iV  H Wliol.  Li^piors. 

vS;  C Stone. 

J:.  P ...■ Shade.s. 

I'.  P.  iV'  Co liroiiins. 

J.  &  Co. Hot(d. 

•  &  A Hotauie  -Meds. 

i> Music. 

(>.  11.  iV  Co (irr). 

H.  P Mer.  Tailor. 

W.  15.  vlv  I  'o.  .  Ibcikcr.s  litinp  and 

Jute. 


1    ,. 

<    ^1 
■s    * 


!^M4l 


W. 


p^pr' 


1^ 


ISS 


TIIK  COMMERCIAL   AGKXCIES. 


I 


i! 


■  '  ^    ; 


;;# 


J 


.  .Builders. 
.MnlioL'iuiv. 


J Hot.  Hoots  uiul  SliDCS. 

ir.  W Prod. 

F.  &  J.  &('o Red  C'cdiir. 

]) IIiitHiind  Ciipy. 

.  S.  iV'  l!ro \.  Fur  Co. 

J IJcstuuraiit. 

J.  K \Virc\v()rkt'r. 

&  Co Cotton  ]?r<)ktM'8. 

]?njsi lift.  I).  ().,  etc. 

U FurnueeH. 

Co Mnfr.s.  Insect  Powder. 

M.  &  Co Oils. 

II.  Is:  Co Jol)  Printer.s. 

&  C tShiiii)ing  luul  Coni'n. 

&  S Li()Uoi-8. 

M.  vS:  Co Cotton  Dealers. 

&  Co Liijuors. 

F.  W.  &  Co. . .  .lIopH  and  Essen- 
tial Oils. 

A &  Co ytora;i;e. 

C Stone. 

J.S Het.  B.  and  S. 

B.  F lloui^e  Furn'o-  (Joods. 

&  II Wliol.  Clotliin.ir. 

J.  () Imp.  Lace  Collars,  etc. 

(i.  A Mnfr.  Ink,  etc. 

F.  II..  K.  I.  Shippingand  Coni'n. 

B.  M.  &  Co Furniture. 

I) Towing. 

&  B <)i!-^ 

C II.  II.  k  Son Plumber's  .>..i- 

te  rials. 

C B Het.  Fancy  (Joods. 

C Bros Shipping  and  Coin'n. 

C &  Co Coni'u  Foreign  Pickles 

and  Sauces. 

C &  Co Stock  Brokers. 

C F.  M Jobber  Leaf  Tobacco. 

C C Co. 


C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 

c- 

C- 
C- 
C- 

c- 

C- 

c- 

C- 
C- 
c'- 
('- 

c- 
c- 
c- 

C- 

c- 


-  (i.  11 Xaval  Stor(>a. 

-J.S Coiu'n  Lumber. 

-(i.  M (iro. 

-A.  M Auctioneer. 

- 1) Bet.  I).  <;. 

-W.  A B.  E.  Broker. 

-11. 1I.\-  Co Mdse.  Brokers. 

-  iV  K Mnfrs.  Ilats. 

-II Grain  I'.oker. 

•  i\:  B Painters. 

■ '!'.  J Lumber. 

■  ll Hardware. 

•  J.  F Prov.  Broker. 

•  W.  B.  «.V  Co Advg.  Agents. 

•  J.  S Imp.  Cigars,  etc. 

•  J.  M Architect  and  Builder. 

■\V.  II.  &  Bro.  ..Com'n  Hardware. 

■  J Mason  and  Builder. 

■  L.  X Builder. 

&  11 Painters. 


C J Contractor. 

C k  Bro Mntrs.  .Mats. 

C J.  k  Co Oil  Brokers. 

C &  A M (;<).  ...Ammonia. 

C F Lifjuors. 

C T Smoker  and  Packer  I'rov. 

C &  W Plaster  Moulds. 

C A Millinery. 

C J.  W Carpets,  etc. 

C B k  Co t'om'n  Prod. 

C J Mnfr.  Wire  (Joods. 

(,' I{.  &  J Contractors. 

C iS:  Co Mnfrs.  Laco  (Joods. 

C II.  A.  &  Co. . .  .Imps,  and  Coni'n 

Liijuors,  etc. 

C M Carriages. 

C J Furniture. 

C J Iron. 

C k  S (Ailifornia  Wines. 

C &  B Printers. 

C J Li(iuors. 

C II.  E Com'n  Fancy  Goods. 

C &  S Coal. 

I) .\.  \V Children's  Carriages. 

I> L. . .  .Imp.  Wines  and  Brandies. 

1) E.  (J Bet.  (.'lothing. 

I) S.  S Bet.  Clothing. 

J) M Co Silks. 

I) W.  II Paints,  etc. 

D W Coal. 

1) J Mnfr.  Head  Nets. 

I) B Li<]uors. 

I) 1) Bags. 

I) 1 Builder. 

D J Coal. 

1) M.  k  Co Coal. 

I> C Het.  ]Men's  Furn'g. 

D'A J.  N Com'n  Fruit. 

I) F.  H.  k  Co. Forwarders. 

1) I.  &  W Mnfrs.  Cloaks,  etc. 

1) H.  T.  &  Co Hide  Brokers. 

1) J.  iS:  Son Het.  Fancy  CJoods. 

1) &  W Drugs. 

D Bros Awnings. 

I> J.  &  Son Bookbinders. 

D C.  F Stock  Broker. 

I) 1.  G Pickles. 

D &  Co.  .Woolen  Mnfrs.  Supplies. 

D J tirain  Broker. 

D &  X Mnfrs.  Clothing. 

I) f Bet.  Shoes. 

D J     Het.  D.  (J. 

D W.  M Coal. 

D A.  Sons Prod. 

I) Bros.  ..Pipes  and  Leaf  Tobacco. 

D II.  J Clocks. 

D J.  L Het.  D.  G. 

D T k  Co Express. 

D II.  J Shipping  and  Coni'n. 

D J Het.  Clothing. 

D J.  S Silk  Broker. 


i,y     Vt 


I 


THE   SYSTKM    KXl'OSKI). 


]  K) 


,1 1,tiiiil)(>r. 

—  J.  r. r.iiii.i.!!-. 

J.  S Inii).  I/niiioM. 

.1.  F I'liintiinTrt,  i.'tc. 

S \\'aiclics. 

S ISclis,  etc. 

W.  11 Silk   Hiokcr. 

\V Hit.  L'kiuoi'h. 

A.  (».  &('() Fiiiicy  (idiids. 

F &  Co.  .Jobbi'i'rt  Milliiiciy. 

A.  S'ons Prod. 

T.  It I'liiitcr. 

F,.  it  Son ("o;iclu'H. 

F &  Co Miifrrs.  LocUs. 

II &  S Drug's. 

&  n . . .  .  IV'trolcuiu  Urokcrs. 

.\:  M Coiii'a  I'rod. 

V.  \V Svruiis  ami  Siitrni'S. 

1.  .M ".  .Who].  .Ifwclrv. 

W   Uct.  D.  (i. 

l\V Prod.  Di'iil.r. 

C.  A.  iV  Co .('oiilVc. 

H.  II Furnituro. 

v..  &  Co lllll)H.  liill.'CS. 

U.  II Collin. 

A.  B niiiKlmkr. 

W.  H Tcii  Hrok.r. 

r>i().-5 Piaiiol'ortcs. 

h.  \  Co..Mntrd.  Billiard  Tables. 

iV   liro Piano.s. 


\-  S- 


.Coiu'll    .Mratf- 


—  S Shippiiiy:  and  Coin'n. 

—  U.  &  Co. . .  .-Miit'rs.  I)nii;"s,  I'tf. 
J.  C.  F 
P 


.Militarv  (ioods. 


n 


Co. 


•  <i lluildcr. 

F California  Wines. 

■  A.  IJ Coiu'ii  Fani'y  (JoodH. 

■  W Furniture. 

•A Statioiit'iy. 

&1J .  -  - 

■J.  A.  &C 

iV  Co Mnfr.s.  Soap. 

C.  S Note  Hrokci-. 

1, Sliippinfi  and  Coiu'n. 

-  !) Pawnbrokt'i'. 


.Miitrs.  lluir  (ioods. 
.Imitation  Jowclrv. 


Mrs.  M. 


.Milliner  and  Dn 


Jiilir. 

J.  () .Towcllcr. 

.\    T.  &  Co Carriaircs. 

iV  Co Slioo  Flndiiifrs. 

i-,.  L. . .  .• Fasbifjiis. 

M.  1-: Jcwi'lrv. 


—  W.  J Publisher. 

—  A Uet.  D.(}. 

—  A.  iV  Co Iini)a.  Books. 

—  (i IlorscShoe  Co. 

—  .M &  Co (Jeii'l  Com'n. 

—  M t!c  Co T'pliolstererp. 

—  L Wino  Broker. 

D Bros Cabinotmkrs. 


I) 
J) 
I) 
]) 
1) 
1) 
1) 
I) 
I) 
I) 
I) 
1> 
1) 
1) 
I) 
I) 
D- 
D- 
i  D- 
I   D- 

ii;: 

I  D- 

!   D- 

I  ])- 

D- 
D- 
])- 
D- 
])- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
1>- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
])- 
D- 

D- 
D- 

D- 
D- 
D- 
]>- 
i)- 


C.  11 

A.  W.... 

Stock  Bivikor. 

Ih'u;,'  Broker. 

.1.  11 

W 

-  -       li   ^\;  11.  .  . 

Hair  (ioods. 

Leaf  Tobacco. 

( 'abinelinkrs. 

J 

S.  iS:Co... 

I'"ancv  (ioods. 

lieal  Kstate. 

..  L.  (i 

Tailor. 

J.  .Com'n 

C 

Brooms,  Brushes,  etc. 
Contractor. 

-   .1 

DniLTS. 

II.  &  Co.. 

C 

.  .  .  .ClothiiiLC  aiul  Liip 
;... Baker. 

J.   &    Co.  . 

Printers. 

iV  M 
J 

DniLj  ISrokers. 

Harness. 

-  M Secondhand    Clothinj,'. 

-  B.   S Diamond    liroker. 

■  k.  11 \rtilicial  Flowers. 

-C Confec. 

-  iS:  M Sui^'ar  Iteliiiers. 

■  E Hardw.'ire. 

-&  B Miifi-s.  Silk  Hals. 

-A.  S liluestone. 

- 1\:  T Hardware. 

-  C Liquors. 

■  J.  IT.  &  Co. Coiu'n  Domestic  D.  ( {. 

-  II.  K Knit  (i(io<ls. 

■  (i.  .  .  .Stoves  ami  llous  ■  bhirn'^. 
-J Painter. 

■  iV  T Cliri'iiometers. 

•  S Jobljer  -Millinery,  etc. 

■  A:  S ^Iiifrs.  Cii^ars. 

•  jl.  &  Co Pie  Dakers. 

■J Wliee:wri,t!:lit. 

-  P Shoe  I'ppeis. 

-  (i.  S .  .  .^lason. 

■  M.  J Ice  Cream,  etc. 

•  11.  U.  &  Co. Shipping  and  Com'n. 
■&M Books. 

-  E.  S.  &  Co. Printers  ami  Stal'rs. 

■  A.  tS:  Co Liipiors. 

■  F.  J Li(iuiir,s. 

■II lIal•d\var(^ 

■  A Pianol'orto  ^lati'rials. 

■N Tailor. 

S M Co. 

■  11.  ^V Stock  r.rnker. 

F.   B Mutter. 

.K;  11 .IrW.ller.S 

•  Bros l.itli  ■ulajiliers. 

W.  iV  Co.  .  .Shi))]iiii,ir  and  Cdin'ii 

I'l'oni'  and  (iiain. 

■  .T.  .1  r.  iS;  Co ( 'itrars. 

•  iS:  11 .liocksiniths  and  .Mnlr.s, 

Tniiik.s. 

■  J Bairiukr. 

]•].  J Cotton  Bi'olier, 

■  L \'  Co Bankers. 

•  J Coal. 

J I'rod 


'^f:'i  ■ 


«'1 


1:1? 


V.  ! 


|r 


190 


TJIK   COMMERCIAL   AfiKN'CIES. 


D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 

D- 
D- 
D- 


A.  &  Sou T,uinl)(>r. 

iS;  (J llav.  ct,.. 

\V.  .M.  iS:  Ci. Cuiltry. 

J.,  EhUUcoI',  . .  .Printer  ami  Sia- 

tiiiiH'r. 

T.  X Packing'  IS.ix.h. 

Urop 'I'fiiH. 


]. 


•Co. 


Hi 


inkers  n 


,1(1. 
lul 


P.  C. 
^-  Co 


.15r 


.Ket.  I'aiicv  (ii)O(ls. 


.Sli 


PI' 


111(1  Cdiu'i). 


.\ Het.  I).  (}. 


15i(..- 


.  Perfiinierv. 


iV  C 


ipe 


15 


oxen. 
.Coal. 


i:- 


,1 i^tOVCH. 

M.  C Patent  Medf^. 

W.  A l/iirliters. 

A - Prmiilier. 

J.  M.,  .Ir Hct.  I>.  U. 

C &  Co Whol.  Li(i. 


M.  &S)n T( 


.).  D. 
J..., 


.  .Mnfrs  '  AfTciit. 
. rrcialit  i; inker. 


A.  H l!et.    I'aiicy  (mmi(1<>. 

Mr.-.  !M Fancy  (mmkI.-j. 

I.  1) Cli(  mist. 


E- 


i<:  T- 


..M(l~e.    1  Idkers. 
.l.adicK'  (  Inaks. 


.1 li(  t.  li  ipiioi.s 


I).  K ()y>ter.'<. 

A\'.  iV  Co Leaf  'I'ol  aeco. 


C 


])- 


P 


Co. 


J.  C.  U.  &Co (il 

P Coiu'n  Trinimiii 


no. 


«. 


irewer. 


E- 


I..lnii).  'I'ovH  and  Fancy  (ioods. 

II.  &C()...' !.Sliirh^ 

"anev 


iVC. 


.lobl;i 


15. 
11. 


^  1- 

(■o<i(ks, 

l?et.  I).  G. 

.(iiider  and  Silver  Plater. 


r])liolstery. 

I)riii:H,  eic. 

E l<e(tilier. 


Bro.s. 


(i_ L Co. 

&  Co Jewellers. 

IL  II Jeweller. 

H.  &  Co Sliiits. 

W.  M.  &  Co Variety  Store. 

A Ret.  Hut  8  and  Caps. 


THK   SYSTIvM    EXPOSED. 


191 


I  <  II  1(1:^. 

(  mist, 
(ilicrs. 

IdilliS. 
(llllllS. 

liicco. 


(iluc. 

inniiiiitrs. 

liicwcr. 
■y  (ioodi?. 

.Shirt;-, 
rs  I'iuicy 

(iillldH. 

•t.  1».  (». 

■r  Plutrr. 

lolstcrv. 


F. iF;  (<         Hoofers. 

E li Mnfr.  l)n.'r<s  Trim'f^s. 

K W T.'iis. 

E J.  II.  <fc  t'o Cotton  Urokcr.s. 

K (i Clotliiii",'. 

K ^.k,  V-     Oil  Hcliiit'rs. 

K '1".  P.  iS:  Co. . .  .Loiuisiind  Hoiiils. 

K \V.  &  Son Prov. 

K .1.   N' Oiiisswan'. 

K 1.  &  .1.  W .Oy.stcrs. 

E .1.  W.  &  Co Siiiiipiiii,^  iuiil 

Coiii'ii. 

E <i.  n.  k  Co Pumps. 

E I-.  1, Com'n  Siliis,  etc- 

E M 1{<M.  I'';iiicv  (foods. 

E E H'.-t.  I),  (i. 

V. E... Prov. 

E l}.  &  Co I?.tt. 

K J iiiiip.  l'"rt'ncli  Clock.s. 

]•] .1 Shippiiii,''  iiiid  Com'n. 

E 1? 'railors'  'l"rim'y:.<. 

E H.  &  Co Mnfr.s.  Siiirt.s. 

E &  M P Co. 

!•: M Jcwolrv. 

!■: 1{.  S Clothiii.i,'. 

V. M SiuisiiLTi'iiikr. 

I' it  K .Jol)I)i'rHTrimmiii,i(s,  etc. 

I'l .1 I/uinor.s. 

!•; V,.  \\ Contracror. 

!•' .1 Shoe  I'^indiiii^H. 

!■; 1. vS:  Co Hiuik.rs. 

i; II.  M.  &  C'o Mnfrs.  H  ly.s' 

Ciothihi,''. 

E II Tailor. 

K (i iV  C Co. 

I] P Co CiiniK'd  (ioods. 

1-, it-  (i -Mnfrs.  Cloaks,  etc. 

K E  A.  L   Milling;. 

K M Ket.  Fancy  D.  (J. 

!■; O Mi-iTs  Ftirirjf, 

I' U Ki'sfaurant. 

!•- — —  1j I'ancy  (Joods. 

i'l h Mnfr.  Metal  Coriiic(s. 

!•: A Teas,  etc. 

!•' Mios Silks  and  Hil)l>ons. 

!■: I'.. I Pap.'r  nox.s. 

M 1.  W.  &  Co Printers'  Ma- 
terials. 
!•; Broi Fancy  an<l  Military   I 

(ioods.     I 

i: A.  E Mnfr.  Neckties.    ' 

!•; -M Extension  Tal>ies.    | 

1'. (> I'pholsterer.    j 

F S Co Counter  Si'ales. 

I' .V Coiu'n  Prod. 

F 1.  15 (Jro. 

E \V.  -M Carpet  Siretidier,  etc. 

I". B &  Co Shippinij  and 

Coiu'n. 
F T.  &  (i. . .  .Cottoa  Sliii)plnir  and 

Coin'ii. 


E \V.  &  Co. ,  .Slii[ipinii;  and  Coiu'n 

I'rod. 

E it-  Co I!et.  Clothing'. 

E iV  (i- — - Blank  hooks. 

I'" .1 Iviirraver. 

E II.  W Drii-  Hn.ker. 

E J Ket.  l-iiiiiors. 

E S.  11.  it  C Hotel. 

E Bros Stationers. 

E I'' Doors,  etc. 

F 1 (iro. 

V. J.  11 Wiiol.  (iro, 

E it  T .   Stock  Hrokers. 

F C Co 1{.  li.  Chairs. 

E M Co ColTee  Crns. 

!•' II Com'n  Teas  and  CnU'ee. 

F Bros Sliiiii>ing  and  Coiu'ii 

Cotton. 

F F D.^Htist. 

K .1.  C PaperliaiiL;ini;s. 

I' .1 Wood  Eniiraver. 

F it  B Yarns. 

V it  .1 . .  .Stamping  and  I'^ainy 

(ioods. 

F ■! Furniture. 

F .).  (i I/npiors. 

F 1).  it  Co VwAiS.  Aireiits. 

F A Heal  Estaf. 

F S Mnfr.  ('ii:ars. 

F- — -  (i.  &  Bro .Mnfrs.   Ciyars, 

F -M.  &  Co Tohacco. 

F ,1 (ho.  and  1).  (i. 

F— (i.  \V 1!,  E.  Airent. 

F S. .  , Tailor, 

F I Watches,  etc. 

F .Miss  A Millinerv,  etc. 

F C.  ,1 Stalde. 

F 11.  (i I/npior.'f. 

F C Caliinitinkr. 

F B it  Co Note  lirokers. 

F 11.  F Li(piors. 

F J Li(iiiors. 

F J Ijicpiors. 

I' P I.iipiors. 

I'^ it  Son Books. 

1-' -M Custom-lioiiso  Broker. 

1'- M.  ,J.  it  Co Wines. 

I-' T Fllrdre^ser. 

F Bros Saddlers'  llardwaie. 

F it  T Auction  Boors  and 

Shoes. 

F ,T ......Plninl.i-r. 

1'' T PaperhaiiLrinu's. 

1' M '.il|!10IS. 

F &  I) -Marlile. 

F J.  II.  &  Son l,i(piors. 

F I Whol.  Cl.thinir. 

F it  It ..Mnfr.s. Woollen  Shirts. 

F M Hestaiiiant, 

1'^ ^V Co Stationery. 

F it  Co Com'n  Prod. 


M;- 


1 


;■  f 


Im 


19 


TlIK    COMMKKCIAI,   AGENX'IK.S. 


If 


!il  i    ,    :^m*isa 


V- 

V- 

V- 

¥ 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

F- 

F- 

F- 
F- 

V- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 

F- 
V- 
V- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 


■  II.  1) I.iciiiors. 

&  {' n Ili.iisc. 

■  n.  &  ('( Auction  1111(1  (  (iiii'ii. 

-L.k  K ("nlliiis. 

•  (J.   I  J.  &■  »'•) Hct.  Nr)ti()li.«. 

•J.  N..  .Umkcr  I'loiir,  SimmIs,  rtc. 

■  J.  B.  . .  .Coiii'ii  l'"li)iir  iiiiil  (irain. 

I Cuttle  Hair. 

i\;  W C'oiii'ii  Ilarilwiirc. 

•  W.  &  SoiiH riideituiicrs' 

(fonds. 

&  Co Cuban  Coiu'ii. 

S.  M Cubuu  Sliii)|)iiii,''  and 

(.'"in'n. 

Hall. 

inc.  .1 Hi't.  Miliinc'iy. 

S I. ii  I  IK  U.S. 

J Fiour  and  l''('cd. 

&  C Salt. 

i\:  Son l!(t.  ]\.&  S. 

15 Ship  A,'.c(nt. 

|)rni.'s. 

K Iliivana  Tobacco. 

l)nijj;s. 

,  &  Co ...  Hairs. 

BnilcUr. 

Hct.  I).  (J. 

&  Son ChciniHtH. 

Imp.  AVhito  Hccr. 

&  E.  II. . .   lict.  I'ancy  (ioods. 

Funcv  (jloods. 


-  !•; 

-& 
-J. 

-  K, 
-E, 
■  C. 

-  c. 
-& 

■B, 
-II 


F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 


M- 


-  A 
■]. 
•F 

J. 
■  C, 

& 
•  A, 

^v 
(i- 


.(iii 


II 

Sons .Mnfr,<.  <ilovcs. 

J. Slock  Hfokcivs. 

UpliolstortTs'  (iood.s. 

S Note  Broker. 


&  Co Tobacco  and 

<  'ottnii. 

B.t.  ]).(!. 

I Uiilibcr  Car  Sinlnfrs. 

II I'^irniinrc. 

\Vini's,  etc. 

Imp.  Li(]U(ir.s. 

E Teas. 

liCt.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

&  Co Artiiicial  Flowers. 

L I'eddler.s'  Su])plies. 

.  B Licpiors. 

F IMnmbor. 

Men's  Furn'tr. 


1{. 

F. 

A. 

(". 
■  E. 
■L. 

& 

W 

J. 
M... 

(}.  M. 

B 


.Sliippi 


(1  C 


Co Hoofintr,  etc. 


M Rhine 


^^ 


ines. 


M- 


B- 


(' 

VV.  II.  A 


.1. 


iquor.s. 


.Petrolenm  Broker. 

J.  &  Co.MonldiiiLrs  and  Frames. 

.Curtain  Oniainents. 


&11 — 
W.  L. , 
T.  B.  &Co Guns,  etc. 


.Hot  I 


F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
l"- 
F- 
F- 
I''- 
F- 
!•'- 
F- 


F- 
1"- 
I''- 
I'- 
I- 
I- 
F- 
E- 
E- 

I- 
I''- 
F- 

F- 
I<- 
E- 
!•- 
F- 
E- 
I- 
I-- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
E- 
E- 

E- 
F- 
I-^- 
F- 

F- 


—  E.,  Af^ent ..Tewelrv. 

-M Mnfr.  Silk  Trimfis. 

—  C.  J.  iS:  Co I/K|iiors. 

—  J.  \V. .  .Ornamental  Iron  Woik. 

—  X Eaiiiv  I>.  (i. 

—  Dr.  S.  S I'liient  Meds. 

—  E.  .\.  &  Son I'led. 

—  (k  B Coiii'n  i'rcd. 

—  J. .  .  .Bet.  Hats,  Caps,  Furs,  etc. 

—  J Horseshoir. 

—  &  H ..  .Mnfrs.  Watch  Cases. 

—  iN:  Co Pastintj  .Machines. 

—  &  II Coin'ii  Southern 

I'rod. 

—  D.  J Crockery. 

—  C.  II l{ui)l)er  (ioods,  etc. 

—  &  B Furniture,  eic. 

—  A.  F" Crockery. 

-H Bet.  Hal's. 

—  S Men's  Eurn'ir  (foods. 

—  .\ Books  and  Stat'v. 

—  S.I) Bet.  Hat's. 

—  \V (iro. 

—  A.  &  D.  &  Co lnii)s.  Euiicy 

(ioi  (!s. 

—  C Painter. 

—  J.  W Cooperaije. 

—  Bros Imps.  Kid  (i loves  and 

I.a<'es. 

—  B I,i(|nnis. 

—  M Liiiuurs. 

—  S M Co. 

—  J Ret.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

-P.  F (iro. 

—  M Dressmidier. 

—  V. Coilon. 

—  \V.  S. 1!<  ihiiiiir. 

—  W.  S.  &  Bro ^;edl^H!i,^ 

-J Mnfr.  (fold  Pens. 

—  INI.  W Bet.  Boots  anil  Slioes. 

—  P Bestiuirant. 

—  C Guns,  Pi.stols,  Cajis,  etc. 

—  M Com'ii  Prod. 

-F Builder. 

—  A.  ( J I>rue s. 

—  B.  II Broker,  etc. 

—  D Coin'n  Hats. 

-J.  J Uet.  Men's  Furn'jr. 

—  P Ie\v(drv,  etc. 

-F.  &  Co lobbers  Hats. 

—  B.  B.  &  Co .Cotton  Brokers. 

—  C.  B.  &  Son Leather. 


J.  &  Sons Piii)er  Stock. 

ii.V Spool  Cotton. 

Mrs.  J Her.  I).  (J. 

('.  F.  &Co Coin'n  Prod. 


&II- 


Jobl 


rs  F'cy  (». 

J.  Sons Coin'n  W.  I.  Prod. 

•  Co. 


F 

A.  E Builder. 

J.  A.  &  Co Wool  Brokers. 


ill 


THE   SYSTEM    EXPOSED. 


193 


id  Splines. 
.  .  .<  il'll. 

;siiiiikcr. 

.('(lltOll. 
i~;Cll(lil!g'. 

1(1  Pens. 

il  i^lioi's. 
■stiiiirrtiit. 

iijip,  etc. 
n'li  Prod. 

Builder. 
.  .Diiiys. 
iktT,  etc. 

I'n  Huts, 
s  Finir;x. 

■hy,  etc. 
)cr.s  Huts. 

l?r<)kcrt<. 

Lciitlier. 
icr  Stock. 
I 'oil  on. 
Uct.  1).  (J. 
n'n  Prod. 
F'cv  (). 
1.  Prod. 


F n ,  W I )rii>;H. 

V I',  li.  i*c  JJro liiip.-^.  Hit!'. 

K li Miifr.  Sliofs. 

1'" l....Nliifr.  Cloth  lints  iiiid  ('u|is. 

]•' ('.  Son  iV  Co.  .Mill !•.■<.  lliitrt,  Cii|is, 

».'tc. 

1' (r,  \V.  &  Co Coni'n  ('iir|u't8. 

I'" iS;  i'" Cotton  iiiid  I'rov. 

iiroki'i's, 

i" &  W Iron  Foiinili'rH, 

1'" ,1.  1{.  iV  Ci ini|)H.  Woolli'ns. 

F 1).  (i iJookscllcr. 

F A A;  Co Coiion. 

1'' 11 Hct.  Shoes, 

I'' 1 Uct.  Clotliin;,'. 

F 1 Wiiol.  Clo, 

I'' L.  .) (fold  iJrokcr. 

I'' li.  iK:  Son lol)l)cr  Sliirts. 

F M.  M Mnfr.  Wliito  (ioods. 

F S i).  ({.,  etc. 

1'' — —  S Hut.  Hoots  and  Sliocs. 

1'' S liCiif  ToliiU'co. 

I' 15 i\:  Co Whol.  lii(|uor,s. 

!•"' ii.  1!.  \'  Co.  .  I'rliitcr.siind  i'lih'rs. 

i'" L  K . . .  .Mnfr.i.  luid  Johhcrs 

Shlrt.s. 

V &  iv Li'[iiors. 

1' M Ciiriir.s. 

I'' Ij Iict.  Men's  Fiirn'jf. 

!■" \-  W -.Jul>l>cr.s  Wliito  (ioods. 

I'" L,  Jr Tailor, 

I' 15 Mnfr.  Ijiicii  Uooils. 

F ( ' ( "o.  of  \V ,  I'll. 

I" — —  15.  &  Co.  .  .  .Mnfrss.  Clock  Cnpos. 

!■" .1 Oyster  Saloon. 

!■' i5ros Shipiiiiiij  iind  Coni'ii. 

1'" K-c  ('() Wiitchnikrs.'  'I'ools. 

F 1.  \V Militiirv  (ioods. 

F F Billiiud  Tallies. 

V T,  A   Furn. 

I' y\vr> W  iiol.  iiUdies'  (Joods. 

I'" ,1 Mnfr.  Shin  15osoiiis. 

I' M O.  a.  i5roker. 

!■■ 15 &  Co Whol.  Clo. 

[■' li.  N.  &  Co Cotton  i5rokers. 

I" F Wliol.  Jewelrv. 

F Fi.  F.  Mnfg.  Co Sewiiiir-.Mii- 

chine  Cases. 

1'' (r.  P.  &  Co.  .  .  .(ieu'l  Coiu'n,  etc. 

1' S.  iS:  Son Pnblisheis. 

1' F (Jro. 

1' N liet.  Boots  and  Siioes. 

F i.  A Ret.  Clothinsr. 

K M.  il Tobacco. 

I' T.  Son EuanieUed  Clotli. 

1' i5ros.  &  C'o MnfvH.  Ciirars. 

l'^—-  C Li(|iiors. 

I" li 'i'uilor. 

I'" i 'I'oliacco. 

I" S Clothinf,^ 

F II Tailor. 


F- 
i-'- 
F- 
F- 
1'- 
F- 
!•'- 
1- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 

1- 

F- 

F- 

I'- 

F- 

F- 

1 

F 

!■ 

!•' 

F C.   .M Iinji.  'i'ovrt. 

F iS:  T Mustard  .Mills. 

F ii.  C Bet.  Men'.s  Fiirn'y:. 

(i J Bet.  Fancy  (ioods. 

(i C.  Ii Paper  i5oxes. 

O- 
<i- 
(i- 
(i- 
(i- 


().  O Com'n  lii(|iiors. 

S Whol.  .leu.lry. 

iN:  O Leaf 'i'ol)acco. 

iV  W Mnfrs.  Felt  Skirts. 

iV  Ii Cutlery. 

S .Mnfr.  Ladies'  Garments. 

]'].  iSi  (i,  iV  Co Toliucco, 

•  B i!et.  Boots  ami  Shoes. 

.  1 Imp.  Jewelry. 

•  &  Mcil Ii»l)l)ers  Notions. 

•  H iV  S . . .  .Leaf  Toiiacco. 

■  U.  ..Sliippini,'  and  Coni'u  Italian 

Prod. 
15ros Stoves. 

■  C.  iV  Sons Stiimpiiiir. 

.^l Bet.  Boots  and  Slioes. 

T' Drii^^s. 

W.  T....Mufr.  Pocketliooks,  etc. 
11 Livery  Stahles. 

tV  Co Whol.  iiitpiors. 

Bet.  I).  O. 

.  .T'lirner  and  i  'anes. 

. .  .Suwimr  .Machines. 


.,   'I 


M 


(i- 

(i- 
(i- 
(j- 
(i- 
(j- 
(j- 
(i- 
(i- 
(j- 
(j- 
(j- 
<}- 
(j- 
<•- 
<j- 
(i- 
(j- 
(i- 
(t- 
(i- 
(i- 
tj- 
(i- 
(f- 

u- 


-  I.  B  Ship  Broker. 

-  F.  &  Co Coal. 

-  .M Morocco. 

-  'V i{et.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

-  B.  &  A. .  ..Mnfrs.  Ladies'  Inder- 

jrarini'iits. 

-F M Co EloLiiic  .Ma- 

cliiiies. 

-  il Crockery,  etc. 

-  ,1.  .J Liipiors. 

-.M Bet.  1).  ii. 

-S.  M Wliol.  Clolhintr. 

-  Bros Bet.  I>.  (i. 

-  i5 (Iro. 

-  ^^'.,  Estate  of iron. 

-Mrs.  W Hotel. 

-T Bet.  1).  (}. 

-  J.  .  .Imp.  Watdics  and  Jewelrv. 
-J Hotel. 

-  M Contractor. 

-  V i\:  S .  ..Militaiy  (iools. 

-  Mrs.   I'i .Mi  liniT. 

-  .Mrs.  C.   A C.piscis. 

-  W.  il.  \'  C ,  .Carpr:iici's. 

-  1 lilt.  Faii^'v  11 Is. 

-I' SmiVi'-;.  luc. 

-  E r.ioker. 

-  (i Imp.  Photo.  Mati'i  j  lis. 

-  il Fur.s. 

-  E...^ Mer.  Tailor. 

-  J.  W Stoclv  Speculator. 

-V.  E.  &  Co.. .Mnfrs.  Perfumery. 

-  N.  Lf IIard\var<',  etc. 


' ) 


•I'I 


■ !  m 


'fei 


m^ 


101 


TIIK   COMMEHCIAL  AGKNCIKS. 


I 


i    i 


G- 
O- 

(!- 
(J- 

(i- 
U- 
(i- 
(i- 
<i- 
(J- 
(i- 
()- 
(J- 
(i- 
(J- 
(i- 
(i- 


-F.  &J Diit.li  CluMw. 

-  Uros Culifoniiii  Wiiu's  iiiid 

liraiidii'M 

-J.  (J l/Kiniir.H. 

-A W Co. 

-T ^.V  (' Iron. 

-  .1 1  111]).  'ri'iiimiiiifiH. 

-T.  F I!,  i;.  anil  Ins.  Air.Mii. 

-  ]'\  *' Fiiriutiirc. 

•  A:  Ci—      (ilafiKWiirc, 

-J .Icwfllcr. 

-  .1 Litlii)j;rii]ili('r. 

-  \V.  .Ii Siuldl.TV, 

-  \V.  11.  \  Ci, Cmrii  i'n.'d. 

■  .1.  1j Iict.  Fimcv  (J(Hjd,i, 

.  &  15 ]^i (•„ 

■&.  Co l•|!^^it(•^. 

•J,  &  C(t \Vllol.    l/i(|llOI'H. 


■  H 1 1  111  (1  ware 

<i ]) l'a])<'i'liHn}riiijrs. 

(J M.  T I'icklcH,  cti-. 

(i I) Aliifr.  Six'ctaclos. 

(i \V.\V.  .Wliol.  BootH  and  Sliocs. 

(1 .1 Cariiciilci', 

<i &  1' noiiiu't  Hlcaclicrs. 

(i J.  A.  .Ir lliiil.rcllas. 

IJ C F &.   S Iloiit^o. 

<1 .1.  IJ \v;n... 


I', 


G- 
(i- 
(J- 
(J- 
(J- 
(i- 

(;- 
(i- 
(i- 

(<- 

(}- 
(i- 
a- 
(j- 
<j- 
(i- 
(j- 
(j- 

C!- 
(i- 
<i- 
Ci- 

(il- 
(}- 
(1- 

G- 
G- 
G- 
G- 

a- 

G- 


-  J Iol)l)('r  ClotiiH. 

-  \V.  J  I.  &  Co Stock  HrokcM. 

-  (i.  A.  &'  Co. .  .Com'ii  Wines,  etc. 
-Co S()»i). 

-  jM.  iV  .1 Iiiijj.'^.  liincii. 

-J.  &  Sons.  .lobbcra  Fancy  (inods. 
-A l{(,'t.  ShocH. 

-  &  Son.  . .  .Hf't.  l?o()f.s  and  SliocH. 

-  K.  \V .  .SU'iiin-Engines,  IJoihn'H, 

etc. 

-  McL-- — SiiA>.  .Linen  Handker- 

chiefs. 

-  J.  C.  &  Co.  ..Jobbers FVjMioods. 

-  J{ .Mnfr,  Slides. 

■  &  T CoUoii  Brokers. 

-  A.  ]•; JJrokiT  li'ware,  etc. 

-  K.  A Wines  and  liiq. 

-&  B Corks. 

-&Co Mnfrs.  Silk  Hats. 

(}.  W Liquors. 

-S.  &Co Whol.  Furs. 

•  II Co.  Furnaces  and  Heaters. 

■I* Ojjtician. 

•  &  (J liiijuorH. 

■A Mnfr.  Flowers. 

•  iV  1{ IMiotofrraplis. 

■  II.  N.J Mnfr.  Shirt  Fronts. 

■  lJn>8 Cloaivs,  etc. 

■T.  A Stationer. 

■  R Crockery. 

■  S.  &  Co Tobacco. 

■  J lints  aiid  Caji.s. 

M Fancy  Goods. 


G- 
<J- 
(I- 
(i- 

(J- 
(i- 
(i- 
«i- 

G- 

(i- 
G- 

G- 
(i- 
G- 
(i- 
G- 
(i- 
<J- 
(i- 
G- 
G- 
(i- 
(J- 
G- 
G- 
(J- 
(J- 
G- 
(i- 
(J- 
G- 
G- 
G- 
G- 
G- 
(i- 
G- 
(J- 
(i- 
(i- 
G- 
G- 
G- 
G- 
(i- 
<j- 
(i- 
(i- 
G- 
(j- 
U- 
(i- 
(i- 
G- 
G- 
G- 
G- 


—  S Ci^rars. 

—  II.   &  Ci> Clothin;:. 

—  S.  &  Co Mnfrs.  Neckties. 

—  \:  H .Mntrs.  iiiulies' 

'rrininied  Hats. 

—  F Pawnbroker. 

—  iV    lb- Whol.  Ciothin^r. 

—  II Cotton  Ibiiker. 

—  A.  A:  < ' Mnfrs.  and  Ini]is. 

Swiss  iMubroideries. 

—  i*i;  A . . . .  Iniiis.  Fruit,  Wines, 

I'te. 

—  M,  .1 Mnfr.  Feather  Dusters. 

—  -  iV  I'". .  .  .Shi|>iiiii;;  and  Cnni'n 

Flour,  (irain,  etc. 

—  ^^' Het.  l''iincy  (foods. 

—  Hros Whol,  I^iquors. 

—  H Mnfr.  Collars  and  CtiiTs. 

—  II lobl)er  Cloths. 

—  J Het.  Hoots  and  Shoes. 

—  M Ibitcher. 

—  F Het.  13o()ts  and  Shoes. 

—  C.  T.  &  Sons. .  .Cracker  IJakers. 

—  J,  fc  Co I'aia.'r. 

_  I l{ II V Co. 

—  .\,  I) Coni'ii  and  A;;'ent. 

—  iV-  S Het,  I),  (i, 

—  S i\;  Co Mnfrs,  Hals. 

—  S.  I) Findini^s. 

—  ■) (.'oni'n  Cement. 

—  S.  A.  vS;  Co Driif^s, 

—  &  *  o Ii'on  Foundry. 

—  J Artilicial  Flowers. 

—  L.  G I'ub'r  Hooks. 

—  I''.  'I' Perfumer. 

—  J.  S 'i'obacco. 

—  I'' lohljer  Wliito  (ioods, 

—  C Saddler. 

—  .1.  F Het.  Shoes. 

—  T Gro. 

—  'I' Painters'  Sui)i>lies. 

—  J.  iS:  Son Mnfr.s.  Bindings. 

—  A P Co. 

—  C Liiiuors. 

—  II C \V . 

—  II Hestaurant. 

—  I),  II Sulphur. 

— -M Fh)ur  Dealer. 

—  H Gro. 

—  tV-  P Plumbers. 

—  II &  Co.  . .  .Mnfrs.  Jewelrv. 

—  G Builder. 

—  G.  15 Coni'ii  Flour. 

—  1.  11 Tailor. 

—  J.  C Hardware. 

—  S.  W Printer. 

—  A.  &  Co Com'n  Prod. 

—  Bros. Cotton  Brokers. 

—  J    A.  &Co...U.  U.  Contractors. 

—  P 1 M Co. 

-S.  H Hats. 


fii: 


•riiK  svsTK.M  i;xi'()si;i). 


I'.*:. 


Hooks, 
■rfiiincr. 
Toliui'co. 
:c,  (ioodt*. 
Siuliller. 
•t.  Shoes. 
.  .(iro. 
Sii])i>lieH. 
Bindings. 

.Liiiuoi's. 

'f-taurant. 
Sull)liur. 
ur  Di'iilcr. 
.  .(iro. 
'linnber.-i. 
Jewelry. 
HuiUkr. 
n'n  Flour. 
Tailor, 
lard  ware. 
Printer. 
!u'n  Prod. 
Hrokers. 
)ntractors. 

,'. . .  .Huts. 


Furn. 

iV  Co Stock  Hrokers. 

— Uet.  Fniicv  (Joodn. 


O- 


O- 


•  n... 

N  — 

&■  U- 

1{ Uet.  Clothin^r. 

■  (J.  (i Carpenter. 

•J l{et.   HootH  and  SliocH. 

(•   Silk  Dyer. 

■II Tailor. 

•  F.  J ('al)inetinkr. 

■  II.  A Fruits  and  (Jio. 

■  J.  L.  &  (-"(> (il'o. 

■  M.  F Li(|nor.'4. 

■It LadieH'   rnd<Tf,'arni(UitH. 

iV  \V .  .Safety  Holier  Works, 

■  &  F Huilder.s. 

S.  M Mnfr.  (iold  Pens,  etc. 

■  ('.  I'^.  it  ("(>.  ...InipB.  E.  I.  (<oo(1h. 

F.  1).  &Co PainteiM. 

ii Millinery. 

■  J Hrewer. 

■  M Hrewer. 

•  &  McL Coin'n  Prod. 

■A Mnl'r.  Woollen  Sliirts. 

■  M Mnfr.  Fancy  Furs,  etc. 

■  W   it  Co Cabinet  Materials. 

•  &  Co Scwinij-Macliino  At- 

taclinieniH. 

■  F.  &.  Co Ivory  'i'urners. 

•  !•; .Lighters. 

-.1.  P Scales. 

•  H.  \'  Hro Jubhers  llosicrv, 

■  J.  K.  it  C Flag.s,  etc. 

■  it  K.    Hardware. 

-J.  II Telegraph. 

•S I),  (i. 

■  (J.  <J.  &  Co Patent  Meds. 

•  K.  J Carriages. 

■  it  Son Ironworkers. 

-  it  F Stoves. 

■  J Faiu'v  (ioods. 

■  P Mnfr.  Lace  (Joods. 

■  Mr.s.  M.  L.  it  Co Printing 

Presses. 

■  P.  it  Co Coni'n  Cotton. 

-  ,1.  F,  J Iron  Foundry. 

-  M.  (J Stove's. 

■  Hros Drugs. 

•C.  (}.  &Co Furs. 

-  it  S Jobber.s  Cloth. 

■  G.  H Suspenders. 

-it  Co U.  l{.  Ties,  etc. 

-  F.  W Carriage  Painter. 

■  K Build.'r. 

•  it  C . .  ..Picture  Frames,  etc. 

•J Lager  Beer. 

-Mrs.  J Milliner. 

-J Clothing. 

-  C.  B Com'u  (.'otton. 

-  S.  A Imp.  (ilove.s. 

-  it  Co Builders. 

-  E Tin  Cans. 


(i 0 Carrin^ep. 

A Coal. 

&  Co Hankers. 

N Builder. 

1).  Sons.  .    lin|ts.  Silk. 

it  B .  .Inii)S.  (k-rinan  Wines. 

I.,  F it  Co Wh.d.  1).  (). 

J.  W .Manfr.  Fireworks. 

C.  L llrrdwure. 

II.   C Cn.-kery. 

W Crockerv. 

II.  itT r.otc'l. 

it  B (iold  und  Six'cio 

Hrok'Ts. 

F Tailor. 

it  Co Oihs. 

.; .  ( ) ( 'on  fee. 

I.  11 Mnfr.  Cigars. 

Ti 'I'ailor. 

.1.  it  Son Het.  Clothing. 

it  B Imps.  Cameo. 

V Oil  Paintings. 

it  K Stone. 

T Corsete. 

II.  M lewelry. 

C.  it  Co I'om'n  Flour. 

(i.  L.  it  ij..Banker.s  and  Brokers. 

Hro.s Pianoforti'H. 

S Fruits. 

it  () Furniture. 

F (ilass  Signs. 

II.  W Com'n  Chairs. 

•!.  M.  .  .Shoe-Pegs,  Lastings  and 

(iorings. 

15.  E.  &  (,'o.  ..Printed  Wrapping 

Paper. 

C.  1? U.  E.  Agent. 

Mrs.  K Uet.  Fancv  (ioods. 

II.  P Butcher. 

.).  II Agent  und  Com'n. 

U.  W Het.  Hats. 

S Uet.  Clothing. 

T Mnfr.  Mead  Nets. 

C.  II.  it  Co.  ..Steam  Pumi)s,  etc. 

C.  it  J (iro. 

&  F Balloon  Haniritiir 

Haskets. 

F.  E Mnfr.  Neckties. 

S.  E Stationer. 

L. . . , Feathers. 

(J.  (i Stoves. 

A.  T llotol. 

W .Millinerv,  Huts.  etc. 

.1 .".  ...Maible. 

T.  B Com'n  Prod. 

M Hotel. 

P B &  C Co..Mnfrs. 

Uubber  Watclicases. 

HI Co Tinware. 

J.  (• Carriages. 

J.II  (iro. 


V',  I 


!  ,il 


i 

1 

1 

!i^' 

4 

it  :i 

100 


TIIK   COMMKKCr.Mi    AfiKXCIKR. 


tl    M 


i^ 


:'    '1 


41- ; 

■  I CliroiiKM. 

K <'«iiil. 

•  iS:  F Kriiini'iiikrH. 

■II Uct.l'lnlllill^f. 

•  tl.  Jr 'rrimks. 

J Slutiiiiit'r. 

■  \V.  II Mhfr.  niunniH. 

■•I.  (i.  \  Co IoUIhts  'rcii:*. 

■  I' iV  Co Mufrs.  SliocH. 

■  S.  Sons I'rihtcrH. 

iVC Cotton. 

iV  T H.'t.  I).  (1. 

\..  k  Co Wiitch  MiitrrialH. 

11 H.t.  iltitt^. 

II lA-ntliiT, 

A (Iio. 

.1.   \\ Stt'ailll)OUtr<. 

T lii(|iiorM, 

.M &  Co.  .Coiu'ii  ('litinicalH. 

T Li(|iiorH. 

('.  II Wool  1111(1  Hops. 

&  Co Suf,'nr  ami  Mola.ssfs. 

&  1) Prod. 

.1. .  .Motiliiin^r  and  I'luiiiiif,''  .Mill. 

(i.  I) Tailor. 

.\ iMnln'oidciii's. 

T.  I li.'t.  Mill's  FiiniV. 

II I'iniiofoiti's. 

M.  .1.  iV  ('(L.t'onTn  Whiskey,  etc. 

P.  \  Co Oai-s,  Scalls,  etc. 

S Wliol.  Clolliint:. 

iV  Co Tailors. 

\V HiiildtT. 

(i.  1' Ilot.l. 

I Sccoiidlmnd  l-'iirn. 

K.  U Coal. 

F I/iquor.-i. 

(' I- Co. 

&  15 Safrs. 

('.  W .Music. 

1''.  0 ClotliiiiH-. 

.1 1»aiiit»!r. 

■J Clotliinij. 

•  li Hals,  Caps,  Furs,  etc. 

M I'cddliTs'  Stii>idifs. 

■  ,M lilt.  Hats  and  Caps. 

•  1' Uft.  Clolliinir. 

■  S.  M Knibroidcrii's. 

■  A.  W.  iV'  Co Toliaci'onists. 

•  F Co Showcanls. 

\'  <'() Jolibcrs  CloiliiiiLr. 

.V  II Woollen  liaiTS. 

■\-  II Who!.  Clotllin<r. 

•A  C Bookbinder. 

■  (i Hrewery. 

■  II Mnfr,  Jf'w.lry. 

■  \'  II Toliacco. 

-  (i.  K .Lumber. 

■  C Litliojiraplier. 

■  II Mnfr.  Shirts. 

■  II.  I Plauin.'  Mill. 


-  I.  .Ir Cloililn«'. 

-  .1 Imp.  Cor.-eis. 

-  I* Tol)aero. 

-  W l,i(|Uor>. 

-  li.  M Co Silverplaled 

Ware. 

-  &  Bro Com'n  I'rod. 

-  iV  II .Mnfrs,  .Ni  ekties, 

-  Uroa Whito  (Joods,  Siiawls, 

etc. 
-L Hotel 

-  W Clonus. 

-  iS:  Co Imim.  Colors. 

- .) Faints, 

-  .1 i'ainter, 

-F I)ru-s. 

-  C.  F.  iV  Co Imps.  Hair. 

-  II.  \  C(» Mnfrs.  Tassels. 

-  ,1.  iV  Co liet.  Clothinjr. 

-  W.  A Jolihur  Fan<y  (foods. 

-»V  V Meat. 

-  »V  Co Mnfrs,  I5a;,'s. 

-  iV  n Stock  IJroki  IS. 

-  r Tailor. 

-  J.  li Hooks  und  Slat'y, 

-W Liijiiois, 

-  C.  C Fancy  (iooils. 

-  A.  li.  iV  Co Stoves  and  Tin- 

wari'. 

.  I, Co. 

-  iV'  Sons Tailors. 

-  A  K Mnfrs.  Dre.-s 

Trimminiis. 
-,I.  I'.  iS:  Son I'immI. 

-  iV  F Ini))s.  |)riii;s. 

-  C.  iV  C Pocket  books. 

-  M.  (i I'oiton  Broker. 

-  N l,i(|iiors, 

-  B Plninlier, 

-  iV  F Siijrar  Heliners, 

-  (i.  (>,  &  Co Bankers  and 

Urokeis, 

-  .1,  X Com'n  liUiiiber. 

-  .1.  II.  &  Son Fiimber. 

-  A:  C J{et.  Cloihiiif;-. 

W.  Jr Builder. 

-  W Com'n  Fliuir. 

-  C Packer,  etc, 

-  II,  S Corsets  and  Skirls. 

-  .\ Banker,  eic, 

-  ,1 Litlio,nra|dier, 

-  W Liiii  lis, 

-  .\.  &  Co Soa|),  Candles,  elc, 

-II Ship  Chandlerv, 

-  Fi,  li H.  F.  Broker. 

■  P Tailor. 

-  T.  F Ink  and  Mueilaj;c. 

-  Bros Patent  Skyliylii.s, 

-  .1.  F.  &  Co Com'n  Paper. 

-&  I- Printers. 

-  C Boots  und  Sh()(^s. 


.1    \ ' 


TIIK   SV.STKM    KXl'OSKD, 


i:*: 


li.A 


%m^ 


.'rn'ilorH. 

vs.  Drr.-s 

miiiiiniis. 

.I'niil. 

.  Dniu's. 

Unikcr. 
I/Kjiiors. 

lllllln'l'. 

1{»  tillers, 
kiis  mill 
liriiUcis. 

liUlllllll'. 
l,Ulul)rl', 

liiihinj;". 

InliMrr. 

n  Flour, 
kir,  I  tc, 
1  SUirif*. 
ikrr.  fic. 

ii;'r:i|illi'r. 

l.iu.  lis. 

(lies.  I'ic. 

uuiillcry. 
■:.  Hidkcv. 
.Tiiilor. 
Mm  iliij;-i'. 
ikyliii-lus. 
I'li  I'aper. 

Priiucr.s. 
\d  Shoes. 


•  Hrcif*.  iV  Ci) SponjjcH. 

-('.  \  II Still. Icrt. 

•  \  Co t'liiirii  Hi'ililiiit;  .MuMH. 

■  J.  .  .  .I{rt.  UlltM,  flips,   I'lMH,  etc. 
J.  11 loiii'ii  I'n.il. 

.  H .Miitr.  Climks.  ctf. 

r.  II.  \  Co <    'iirn. 

'I'.  S I).      iliTH. 

&  S ....Miifis.  .Icwi'lry  ami 

ImmIiIimii.s. 

•  it  Co I'iiiii'rlmn>:iii^rs. 

■  {',  I' Iron  naiJinirrJ. 

iS:  M ISffripTiiiors. 

J <!ro. 

.1 Murl.lr. 

«'.  iV  Co Utt    l».  (J. 

.M Hit.  1).  (). 

I loldicr  Linen. 

A.  II Stoek   IJroker. 

I'i.  A.  \'  Co House  Fiirii'i;. 

W.  i\:  Co Stuck  Broker.s. 

H Coal. 

\  Co Wooden  ware. 

(! Het.   |)rii>,'rt. 

II.  U (iriiin  Hroker. 

.1.  11   (iraiii   Mroker. 

,1 Joljlier  Hosiery'. 

S.  A   l{et.  I).  U. 

A.  &  Co Mnlrs.  Tiiiwaro 

iV  M Het.  I),  (f. 

I».  .1 Skirt  .Materials. 

|{.  .Ir Coal  Broker. 

■  C.  IJ.  iS:  Sou Syrups  and 

Molasses. 

F.  Ij Fiirnace.s. 

(i Heal  I'.Hiate. 

C Builder. 

F Kitl  <i  loves. 

.1.  S Hardware. 

1).  &  W lohliers  Cloths. 

S Het.  I).  (}. 

iV  Son <  'oal. 

!•; lii(|nors. 

.1 Uet.  Clotllin•,^ 

(i ("om'n  Cotton. 

■  iV  C E.  I.  Shipping;'  and 

Coni'n. 

k  '/j Imps,  and  Com'ii  I).  (J. 

F.  S.  \-  Co Note  Brokers. 

■  .1 Diamond  Setter. 

S iMincy  ( foods. 

Mrs.  C Men's  Fiirii'i;. 

Iv  I) Het.  Hoots  and  Shoes. 

■  lip  s,  &  Co.  . .  .Johhers  Hosiery. 

•  .M Laces  and  iMiihroidrries. 

(J Confectionery. 

■J Cahooses. 

■  S Sailmaker. 

■  II heather. 

■J Plumber. 

■  J.  J.  &  Son Pajjcr. 


M &  H ....lohhrrs  Hats. 

iV  .M Hani  ware,  i  tc. 

.  M Metals. 

N.  !•',    Coin'n  I'rod, 

NV   ...Imps.  Drujj^s  and  Color«. 

W.   F l)riiH:8. 

i\:  1' Ship  Brokers. 

(' Lii|iiorH, 

II.  .tr.  ..  .Leather  and  I'indiii'.'s. 

iV  Co Miil'is.  .Iiwi'liry. 

K liet,  Bonis  anil  Sim.  s. 

().  F Butter. 

A:  N .Mnfrs  i^nlts. 

J.  I,.  &  Co I'rov. 

•  F.  I'' l,ii|iiois. 

.1.  C Prills. 

■  .1.  .1 Bet.  Boots  and  Sho.  s. 

&  Vail  K .  ...Coni'n  Toliaiio 

and  ('ijfiirs. 
I.  . .  .Miifr.  Chi  hi  fell's  Clot  hi  111,'. 

etc. 

H \iictionei'r. 

•  iV  (1 Butter  and  ( 'liei  se. 

■  1) iV  Co S.  Am.  I'rod. 

•  U iS;  Co Shippimr  iind 

( 'om'n. 
■S.  W Leatlier. 

.\.  Sons.  . .  .Printers  and  Piili'rs. 

(J Butcher. 

•II Furniture. 

■  .M cioiliiiiir 

■  .M.     S Woollrll    ItilL'S. 

•  X Clot  ilill;'-. 


i; 


'ti 


-  F 

-  A.  ('.,  .A^cl niamoiid  Broker. 

-  F.  &  Co *  'otton  Shippin^i; 

and  Com'ji. 

-  M .Manf.  l.iici'  (ioiids. 

-.M.  iV  (  o Imps.  Kid  (iloves. 

-  Bros Furs. 

-  L.  k  W .  .Watch  ■sand  .lewelry. 

-  I».  S Fiirnitiiie.    ' 

-  N .Mrlal.s. 

-A.  \'  C Whol.  .lew.  try. 

-  .1.  iN;  Co.  .  .Sliippiii;f  and  Coin'n. 

.  &1I W|„,l.  I),  (i. 

-A:  M PuMishers. 

-  C Ini|>.  Cij^'ar  lii! .lions. 

-  II.  I Tailor. 

-.1.  L Tailor. 

-  I Bet.  hunts  and  S'lO.'S. 

-  h |{.t.  Clotli.nu-. 

-  Bros W'liol.  l.ii|uors. 

-.1.  H Mdse.  Brker. 

-  .M Co Stencil  I)ii<  and 

I'hr.'S. 

-  W.  C.  &  .1.  M.  ..A.n-ents  Sewing; 

.Maciiiies. 

-  K.  S l?rass  I'"oniider. 

-A Whol.  Carpi'is. 

-d.W Jeweller. 


t'f 


i* 


M 


198 


THE   COMMEHCIAL   AGENCIES 


H II Saloon. 

II (".  &  Co  Com'n  (Jro. 

II M &  Co llet.  D.  U. 

II W.  &Co D.  (i. 

II S.  C Machinery. 

II \V.  A Paporlmii'^inf^.s  and 

Clotliinp. 

II F Imp.  Teas. 

11 11.  H Inii).  Enibroi(lerii'.s. 

II II.  (r Liquors. 

II I) Coal. 

II M Miifr.  Trimnjinf,'8. 

II Mrs.  T Uet.  B.  and  S. 

11 C.  .S:  (■ Wliol.  Liquors. 

II II.  &  Co. .  .Imps.  Dress  Trini'fifs. 

II IJ Cloths,  etc. 

II L.  &  Co Tobacco. 

t  &  N Ship  Cliandlers. 

II L Chemicals. 

II A P.itent  Rights. 

II IJ.  W Music  \>Mi,  etc. 

II C.  U li'oataurant. 

II F Het.  Cigars. 

II &  T Imps.  Milliiierv. 

II ().  1) Drugs. 

II J.  T Com'n  Flour,  etc. 

II U.  S Paperhangings. 

II k  W Hatters. 

II &  C Mnfrs.   Straw  Ilata. 

II &  S Mnfrs.  Hats  and 

Straw  (Joods. 

11 A.  D Nickelplating. 

H D.  &  Co Rubber  Goods. 

II W Lager  Beer. 

II W.  C Leaf  Tobacco. 

11 C.  C.  M Human  Hair. 

II P Restaurant. 

H C Real  Estate. 

II J.  M Musical  Insts. 

H M.  &  Co Bedding. 

II tl.  E Shipjoiner. 

II W.  &  Co Iron. 

II 11.  &C() Com'n  F.  (Jro. 

II C Hall. 

II C.  V.  L Ret.  Drug.s. 

11 &  F Mnfrs.  Fancy 

Boxes  and  Basliets. 

II ll Liquors. 

II T.  G Painter. 

II (J Furniture,  etc. 

II E.  J.  &  Co Mnfrs.  Files  and 

Saws. 

II it  S Shipwrights. 

II J.  F Hotel. 

II T Mnfr.  Glass  Oilers. 

II II Cigars. 

H L Cigars. 

II C.  &  Co Scroll  Sawing. 

II E Uestaurunt  and  Beer. 

II \'  Co. Lager  Beer,  etc. 

U &  1) Mirrors. 


II- 
11- 
H- 
II- 
H- 
II- 
II- 
11- 
H- 
H- 
II- 
II- 
H- 
11- 
II- 
H- 
II- 
II- 
11- 
II- 
II- 


-  B Operator. 

-  &  B Flour  and  Fc^ed. 

-  &  C Flour  and  Feed. 

-J Stevedore  and  Liq. 

■  M.  &  Son Whol.  (iro. 

-  W.  B.  &i  Co. .  .Photo.  Materials. 

-  &  Co Feed. 

•  &  L Metals. 

■  L.  &  Co Whol.  Liquors. 

■H.  N Coal. 

■  H Cancelling  Stain ])s. 

■  H.  &  Co Booiv  Pub'rs. 

■  L.  V Imp.  Gloves. 

■  &  D Tobacco. 

II.  O.  &Co Wines. 

M Whol.  Fancy  Goods. 

■  &  M Jewelry,  etc. 

Mrs.  A Ret.  F'cy  Goods. 

J.  M R.  E.  Broker. 


&  Co Canned  Fish. 

J.  D Gro.,  etc. 

11 &  D M Co Locks. 


II- 
11- 
II- 
11- 
II- 
II- 
H- 
H- 
I!- 
11- 
H- 

II- 
II- 
II- 
11- 
11- 
II- 
11- 
II- 
II- 
11- 
II- 
11- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
11- 
II- 
11- 
II- 
H- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 


-  &  E Cabinetnikrs. 

-C.  &  Co Mnfr.  Caps. 

-  B &  Co Men';>  Furn'g. 

-J.  II Jeweller. 

-  T.  C. . .  .Whol.  Millinery  (Joods. 

-  T.  B.  &  Sim Hay  aiul  Grain. 

-A Imp.  Watches. 

-  1).  &  Co Metal  Brokers. 

•  &  F Builders, 

-C.  X.  &Co Com'n  Prod. 

-  K &  S Boots  and 

Shoes. 

-  W.  K.  &Co Com'n  Prod. 

('.  II Painter. 

N.  F Com'n  Hops,  etc. 

■J.  &Co. Com'n  Flour  an<l  Grain. 

■  M Co Machines. 

-C.  B Printer. 

•  M.  II Iron  Railings. 

■  W.  R Photographer. 

■  &C Silverphited  Ware. 

■  &  Co Hankers. 

■  F.  &  H Com'n  Cotton. 

■J Twines. 

■J.  (» R.  E.  Broker. 

L.  T Stock  Broker. 

■  R Mnfr.  Ciim])horine. 

S.  W.  &  J.  I Prod. .etc. 

S.W.& Co.. Hatters'  Trimmings. 
C.  O Coal. 

■  J.  E Hardware. 

S &  Co Paper. 

W.  F Hardware. 

<J   Hotel. 

A Drugs. 

II C &  B Co. 

I.  N.  &  Co Advg.  Agents. 

R G Co. 

&  B .  ..Shipping  and  Coni'u. 


ll 


THE   SYSTKM   EXPOSED. 


199 


T.  W.  B Stock  Broker. 

M <"o I'liU'iit  Window 

Fasteninys. 
n Tailor. 

II.  I Hide  Broker. 

S.  E Clothiiif^. 

&  li Flour  and  Feed. 

&  II Jobbers  Millineiy. 

A.  W.  &  T Tailor.^. 

S II M Co. 

U  . .      Jowellor. 

H Liq  iiorH. 

J.  Jr Coiu'n  I'apcr. 

.M.J Sewinjf  Machiiiort. 

1)  H.  &  Co Coiii'a  Hats. 

P C \V . 

&  M Teas. 

C.  T Mods. 

VV.  H Com'n. 

P L Co. 

&  C Eleotrotypcns. 

F.  W.  &  Hro.  .Com'n  Chemicals. 

H.  (i Brushes  and  Brooms. 

P.  V Hotel. 

&  (i Mnfrs.  Trim';;3. 

I).  W Wooden  ware. 

K.  W.  &i  Son Furniture. 

S.  A Ret.  Shins. 

Bros Jewelry. 

&  Co Varnish. 

B.  Jr W^indow  Sliude.s. 

J Whol.  and  Ket.  Liquors. 

S.  &  Son,       Jobbers  D.  (J. 

J.  &  Co. . .  .Milliners  and  Dress- 

mkrs, 

B M Co, . .  .RoofinfT,  etc. 

F Hajrs. 

M &  Co Vault  Lights. 

S Drui^  Broker. 

W &  Co Furniture. 

L.  &  Co Prod. 

J Ket.  D.  U. 

P Co. 

M.  &  Sun Cabinetinkrs. 

&,  C Jobbers  Silks,  liib- 

hons,  etc. 

II Mnfr.  Sy  rup.s. 

A.  it  Co Spoiiijcs. 

.1).  J Ice. 

P L Co Lamps,  etc. 

II Mnfir.  Chemist. 

— —  J Jobber  Cloths. 

-  U Cigars. 

S.  ('. . .  .Mnfr.  Silverware  Cu.se.'^. 

W Com'n  Prod. 

W.  W Twines. 

C.  W.  &  Co Mnfrs.  Fringes. 

W.  iw  Co Imjjs.  Cutlery. 

M (i  lass  ware. 

F Sugars  anu  Molasses. 

I'j Broker  Naval  Stores. 


-  <i.  M Imp.  Precious  Stone.?, 

-  Mrs.  11 Tailors'  Trimmings. 

■  L Uet.  Clothing. 

■  L Jewelry. 

■  L.  J Jobber  Licjuors. 

•  S Clolhing. 

.  &  H Whol.  Clothing. 

■  O.  II Whol.  Drug.s. 

-  T Mnfr.  Dress  Caps. 

•  F.  P.  &  Co Stock  Jiroker.s, 

■  U C Co. 

■  P.  &  Bro  Jobbers  Jewelry, 

li Contractor, 

■  I).  &  J Architect.^, 

(i Mnfr.  Shirts. 

•  »V  C .  .Tea,  Coflee  and  Spices, 

J Imps,  i lair. 

•  S.  II Spring  I?eds. 

■  v..  Jr Patent  Suspenders. 

■  L,  1).  F Fialiiiig  Tackle, 

&  ]J Builder.s. 

■  &  Co Clothing. 

■k  A Hotel. 

■  J.  C.  &Co CiminCoal. 

-  J.  &  Sons  , .  .Mnfrs.  White  Lead 

and  Linseed  Oil, 
-J.  P.&Co Rook  Pub'rs. 

-  C (Jen'l,  Mdse.  Rroker. 

II.  W R.  E.  Operator. 

■  N School  Furniture. 

■  B.  tV  Sons Sugar  Relinor.s. 

K L Co. 

■  t^.&Co Lighter.H. 

■  V Co Mnfrs.  Valvij.i. 

W.  M.  &  U.  II Luml)er. 

■  &  M Bookliinder.s. 

■  .\ Auctiontser. 

■  (i.  11 To  vs.  etc. 

J.  P Oils  and  (J Inc. 

■  J.  J.  L  Co. .  .Jobbers  Huts,  Cajjs, 

and  Furs. 

•  V.  L  Co. . .  .Imps,  and  Mnfrs.  Al- 

bums and  Fancy(ioods. 
( ' House  Furn'g. 

•  .1 Prov.  Rroker. 

S Wines. 

S Painter. 

W.  II (iro. 

R.  &  Co (iraiii  Brokers. 

I).  S.  &.  A.  Ci , ,  .Com'n  l''lour  an  I 

Feed. 

E.  &  ("o Com'n  Lumber. 

iS;  S .  Bond  and  Loan  Broker-*. 

&  O . .  ..Shipping  and  I'om'n 

Prod. 

Rros Printers  and  Stat'rs. 

M.  J.  &  Co T«;a  and  CofTee. 

L Mnfr.  Lace  OchmIs,  etc. 

(}.  A Jew»dry. 

C   Stationery,  etc. 

W.A Builder. 


T 

'1 

'I 
I 


'I 


'•■11! 


1    I 


200 


THE   COMMERCIAL   AGEN'CIES. 


l>'; 


|nni{< 
1-1 P^ 

.    '1    ■)! 

Is  s'    *! 
1  !J    I 


I 

J &  E Hotel. 

J 1' Com'n  Prod. 

J 11 Com'u  For.  1).  G. 

J II.  iV  Vo Imitation  Hair. 

J J.  S.  &;Co Prod. 

J H Liquors. 

J D.  J Com'n  Prod. 

J VV Crockery. 

K E Het.  Millinery. 

K S.  W Mnfr.  Cloaks. 

K I'\  J  . . .   Meerschaum  Pipes,  etc. 

K (t Worsted  Goods. 

K L Stoves. 

K J,  iV,  Bro. . .  .Mnlrs.  Pocketbooks. 

K .1 Calfskins. 

K ]SI Cigars. 

K J.  &  Co Mnfrs.  Pipes. 

K P Wines. 

K ?J Ini]i.  Cutlery. 

K ,1.  .) Trimmings. 

K E„ Jobber  Uresa  Trim'gs. 

K 1 Peddler. 

K S.  li.  &  t5o;i Kesttturunt. 

K ).  K ..Furs. 

K E UiamonuH,  ''tc. 

K J.  »*c  C:> Clothing. 

K A.  !c  Bro Mnfrs.  Cijiars. 

K .J Uro.  and  Baker. 

K 1. Mnfr.  B.  and  S. 

K »*;  Co Mnfrs.  Boilers. 

K Mrs.  M Het.  1).  Ci. 

K iV  Co Shoe  Bows. 

K C Butcher. 

K 1 Whol.  Clothing. 

K S.  &  C() Com'n  Cotton. 

K &  ( •() Clothing. 

K 6:  J— — . . .  .lmj)S.  Pictures,  etc. 

K &  Co Imps.  Pictures. 

K P Li(|Uors. 

K (S:  D Billiard  Saloon. 

K J Imps.  F'cv  U. 

K i»;  M-- — Mnfrs.  Cloaks. 

K &  C S!iipi)ing  and  Com'n. 

K &  Cii Patent  Med.s. 

K .) .  i*c  ^v>■.l Flour. 

K i':  C Mnfrs.  Letter  Files. 

K A.   'r Li(Hiors. 

K 1>.  B.,  .Ir Ins.  Broker,  etc. 

K S.  C.  c';  C().  Lumber  and  Veni'crs. 

K .1 Furniture. 

K I).  i;Co Liquors. 

K J.  .M.  Miuuifiictiiring  Co. 

K i! .Jewelry. 

K .M.  &  Smi Li(iuors. 

K &  W- Whol.  Clothing. 

K B.  &  Co ■.  .  .Cliemists. 

K S &  Co.  .  .  .Mnfrs.  .lewelry. 

K C   .Mer.  Tailor. 

K E.  (i Oils. 

K C.  (i Leather  Weigher. 

K J .  (i Patent  Meds. 


Advp.  Agent, 

•  &  Co Tobacco. 

K 1).  D Spice  Mills. 

K D Carpets. 

K J Li(iuor8. 

K VV Uectilicr. 

K- 

K- 

K- 

K- 

K- 

K- 

K- 

K- 

K- 

K- 

1^- 

K- 

K- 

K- 

K- 


K- 
K- 
K- 


K- 

K- 
K- 
K- 
iv- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K-- 
K- 
K- 


■  &Co Furniture. 

&  E Paiier  Stock. 

&  M Lumber. 

■  F.  C.  &  Co Men's  Furn'g. 

•  &  II Stationery'. 

■  J.  F R.  E.  Broker. 

U.  W Oils. 

&  II Stationery  and  Printing. 

1).  T .■ Builder. 

\V.  II Undertaker. 

H.  C.  &  Co Com'n. 

&Co Ret.  D.  O. 

&  ^I ..Children's  Carriages. 

F.  A 'J'hiatrical  Hosiery. 

■  C.  B Sashes,  Doors,  and 

Blinds. 

J Mnfr.  Morocco. 

F.  O Com'n  Oils. 

A.  W.  &  Co Silk  and  Fancv 

1).  i'i. 

&  P Mnfrs.  B.  and  S. 

A Jobber  Clothings 

A;  B Stock  Brokers. 

Bros .Com'n  Mits. 


.Prov.  and  Fis] 


.Auctioneers. 
.  .Silverware. 


K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 


&c 

'1'.  &  T- 
•  A:  J  — 

11.  T.  &  Son Patent  Meds. 

C.  T.  V Furniture. 

I'i Con  fee. 

11. il Banker. 

1! Miifr.  Ladies'  Wear. 

J liniker  Naval  Stores. 

M.   .V Mnfr.  CorsetM. 

W' Licjuors. 

A.  tv  Co (ien'l  Com'n. 

—  M ( 'o Syru])S. 

I'l-  Co R.  li.  Supplies. 

J.  i)c  Co Prov. 

\V.  i';  Co Iiii[)a.  and  Mnfrs. 

Corks. 

^.-Co R.  E.  B-roker.?. 

i^  }.l Sauci-. 

W.  P Furniture. 

N.  &  Sou Pickles,  etc. 

R— —  w  ( '() Com'n  Lumber. 

C.   \ Cotton  J'roker. 

F.   S Mnfr,  Ci-ar.s 

J.  P.. Hay. 

<i.  T.  I*;  Co Li(]uors. 

W' Ret.  Fancy  (ioods. 

&  L Lithogniplu'rs. 

E.  II Sailmkr. 

J.   C Tailor. 

J.  II Card  Engravex". 


,)  .i 


THE   SVSTEM   EXPOSED. 


201 


K Bros.  &  Co (jcn'l  Mdsp. 

Uroki'rs. 

K W F\v(l-. 

K A BiiihkT. 

K H Shirts. 

K S.  P M!ittif.si<fs. 

K V,  &  Co Imps,  iiud  Coni'n 

Drug's. 

K F.  W Cotton  BioktT. 

K F Hhiuc  Wines. 

Iv A Lumps. 

K C.   E (iro. 

K J.   F ({ro. 

K S.  n Builder. 

K II.  &  Son Bricks. 

K J.  (i.  Mntg.  Co Mnfi'H.  Stctvin 

<«1H1<^CS. 

K i*i.-  Co Prov.  Brokers. 

K T.  B.  &  Co Crockery. 

K A.  Jr Lard  and  Liinl  Oil 

Broker. 

K <}.  T Afrent  and  Imp.  1).  Li. 

K T.  M Liq.  Broker. 

K \V Ins.  Broker. 

K W.  H Sliippintf  and  Coni'n. 

iK J.  J Iron  Foundry. 

K iV  M Carrinfjes. 

K K.  .M Stock  Broker. 

K ({.&  Sons.  .Imps.  Musical  Insta. 

K J l/upiors. 


K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 

K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
Jv- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 

Ir- 
L- 

L- 


Sons  i^:  Co Stationers. 

S Mnfr.  Flowers. 

II.  &  l_'o Piano  Legs. 

(" Cabinetmkr. 

.1.  F Pies. 

C D.  (J.  Broker. 

M Jol)l)er  (iloves. 

Ij.  C.  i!c  Co Advyr   Ap-nts 

and  Priniini;. 

.t  J Fruits,  etc. 

k  S Whol.  Gro. 

Bet.  (iro. 


&  Co Pipes  and  Ciy. 


Safes,   etc. 


•H. 

■  i'- 

•  L Cotton  Bats  and  Twines 

■  &  II Sliowcases. 

■  iSi  S Fruit  Broker.'^. 

•  Bros l>ru 

•  K. 

■  A Leatiier  and  Fimlinys. 

■ .) Mnfr.    D:)or  Knolis. 

Bros Slate. 

•  (J.(i Bronze  Powder  W'orJis. 

■  K &  S Jobl)ers  Cloths. 

Hankers. 

.Carriairrs. 


.^;  Ci 


■  L — 
-&S- 

-  A.  A;  <'o.  . .  .Mnfrs.  Lace  (Joods. 

-  iV  F Jol)l)er8  Ilosierv. 

■  M Oils  and  I).  (J. 

J.,  H>tate  of Carpets. 

A.  \V....  Broker  U.  K.  Supplies. 
U.  W..Mul'r.  yoda-Wuter  Cups. 


L &  Co Sewing-Machino  At- 

ta<'lMnents. 

L L Bookbinder. 

L J.  J Ijicjnors. 

L W Butcher. 

L M.  C Jobber  Men's  Furn'jr. 

L T.  J I'ldiolstery  (Joods. 

L P.  W.  &  Co Mnfrs.  Ladie.s' 

Belts,  etc. 

L S &  Co Mnfrs.  Tables. 

li II Furnitnre. 

L B &  Co Bankers. 

L (i K &  T Co 

L P Wind.  Shirts,  etc. 

Ij V &  C .  .Mnfrs.  Cutlery. 

L A.  &  Co Mnfrs.  Neckties. 

L H.  E Furs. 

L S Imp.  Watches  and 

Jewelry. 

I< K Jobber  Dress  Triniminjxs. 

L M Co Huliber  (Joods. 

L II Stock  Broker. 

L &  B Stock  Brokers. 

L J Licj.  ami  Billiards. 

L &  N Mnfrs.  Hats. 

L &  B Imps.  Sjjonires. 

L F.  K Teas  and  ColTees. 

L (• S M Co. 

L J.  &  Co Flour,  (Jrain,  and 

(ien'l  Com'n. 

li &  S Cabinetmkr.s. 

L S &  Co. . .  .Com'n  Sliiiipiiig. 

L M Cattle  Drover. 

li N Leather,  etc. 

L vS:  Bro Baidiers,  etc. 

li (J .  .Shi[)  and  Steamboat  Owner. 

L M Prod. 

L Bros Prod.   l)ealers. 

L 1.  \V Baker. 

L 1 Jeweller. 

L W.  S Jobber  Flour. 

L .\.  C.  iV  Co Liiiuors. 

L Bros.  &  Co Baidsers  and 

Brokers. 

L C Co Cem<'nt. 

L iS:  Co Storiiu'e. 

L iS;  N .  .  Wines,  Liij.  and  Teas. 

L 1.  iV-  Co Mnfrs.   U:v^!<. 

L H.  M Com'n  (f rain. 

L J Staii.rner. 

L S.  B Metal  Broker. 

1 L.  T Prod. 

L I.i'v  Co I).  <i.  Bn.kers. 

L iS:  P Petroleum('iln^■. 

L Bros Si  at  loners. 

I. I Ber.  D.ii. 

L S.  M Ret.  1).  (J. 

L iV  F . . .  .Tobacco  and  PijM's. 

L Bros Toliacco. 

L »V  I) Whol.  Liquors. 

L B &  L Co. 


:^1 


i      t 


'  Ml 


I    L 


P 

i 


202 


THE  COMMEUCIAL   AGENCIES. 


4i ' 


f  i 


'  ra' 


C.  K.  &{'<) Picklos,  He. 

.1.  F.  fi  Vo Mnfrs.  Urooms. 

&  B Fancy  (loods. 

J.  S. . . .  Mnlr.  and  Jobber  Draw- 
ers, Hliirts!,  etc. 

M.,  Jr Oalviuiized  Iron. 

E Iliiir  (ioikIs. 

E.  &  L.  DeF .  .(Jcii'l  Coiu'n. 

HroH B(K)ks. 

A.  Sons VVliol.  (iro. 

A.  W.  &  F.  W Coni'n  Prod. 

J.  &  Co Pocket  book  9,  etc. 

('.  n Flour  Hroker. 

S.  W Com'n  Flour. 

P.  &  Son Ket.  Clotliinj?. 

C.  II Com'n  Piod. 

L.  &(}.  S Hotel. 

■  M.  L. . .  .Fancy  Goods  and  Pins. 
F Liquors. 

F.  &  II Liquors. 

M &  Co Leaf  Tobacco. 

P.  &  Co Wines. 

J.  &E D.  a.  Folders. 

C.  &S.  E ...Hotel. 

DoW.  C.  &  Co Pub'rs  and 

B(joksellerH. 

T.  F.  &  A Coni'ii  Prod. 

L.  11.,  Bro.  &  Co ClotbinfT. 

iV  E Lubricatinjjf  Oils. 

F.  W.  &  Co. . .  .lni|)s.  Piano  and 

Table  Covers. 

P I  lop  Hroker. 

■  F.  &  Co Trimmings. 

T.  F.  &Co Printers. 

&  F U.  E.  Brokers. 

A.  &  Co Jobbers  D.  O. 

O Co. 

J.  II Precious  Stones  and 

Silks, 

F.  II.  &  Co Printers'  Ink. 

S &  Co Wliol.  Li(]uors. 

■  A Jeweller. 

■  Mrs.  J Stoves,  etc. 

■  ]j Mnfr.  Shirts,  etc. 

•  S Hats  and  Caps. 

•  A.  D Mnfr.  Clothinpr. 

U Ket.  Fancy  (Joods. 

■  J.  E Mnfr.  Ladies'  Suits. 

M Wines  and  Liq. 

O.  S Coiu'n  Fancy  Cioods. 

S Imp.  I>aces. 

S Uet.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

A.  &  J Mnfrs.  Clothinjf. 

Bros  Mnfrs.  Cigars. 

J.  &  M Witol.  Clothing. 

J.  &  Co Lye. 

&  B Stock  Brokers. 

Si  K Mnfrs.  Slides. 

■  &  Bro Fancy  (Joods. 

.\.  &  Bros Mnfrs.  Clothing. 

'  Mrs.  li Mafr.  Ladies'  Suits. 


T.  M llet.  Men's  Furn'g. 

Bros Law  Books. 

E.  &  Co Mnfrs.'  Agents. 

W.  H.  &Co Uectifiers. 

&  B I'rov.  and  Tallow 

Brokers. 

S Imp.  Kid  Gloves. 

It Uet.  Men's  Furn'g. 

■  -M Co Machinery. 

■J Vinegar. 

&  E Pianofortes. 

&  I Mnfrs.  Hats. 

J Boxmkr. 

A.  W Gro.  and  Liq. 

J Li<iuors. 

&  Sons Pianofortes. 

■  Bros Li(]uors. 

&,  Co Imps.  Laces,  Whito 

Goods,  Embroideries,  etc. 

A Cigars. 

S Whol  Millinery. 

li.  J.  &  A.  W. .  .Type  Founders. 

('.A Tea  Broker. 

•J.   A Hair  Jewelry. 

■  A.  B Hop  and  Malt  Broker. 

W.  O Tailor., 

&  G Bronze  Powder. 

S Mnfr.   Frames. 

•  B &  ('o Mnfrs.  Boys' 

Clothing. 
L.  &  Son Whol.  (Nothing. 

■  M Auction  (ioods. 

•  &.  S . . . .  Watches  and  Watch 

Materials. 

•II Metals. 

•A Ret.  Fancy  (ioods. 

•  S.  &  B Jobbers  Millinery. 

•E.  C H.  li.  Operator. 

E.  B R.  |{.  Operator. 

■L... Whol.  Clothing. 

■  F.   N Mnfr.   Brooms. 

■J.  H Mineral  Water. 

•  II.  &  Co Knitting  Cotton 

and  Cotton  Yarn. 

■  &  M Stationers. 

A  Co Bankers. 

&  II Bankers. 

&  a Cigar  Moulds. 

B Co Mnfrs.  Buttons. 

<1 Tailor. 

M.  W Broker  Naval  Stores. 

&  Co Wines,  Teas  and  To- 
bacco. 

■  &  II Iiookiiig-Glasses. 

&  '/j . . .  .Specie  Brokers,  etc. 

■  &  K Mnfrs.  Jewelry. 

C Trimmings. 

■  &  M . .  .Mnfrs.  Ladies'  Belts 

•  R Furniture. 

•  &  ('<> (juai)o. 

■  D.  II Coui'u  Cotton,  etc. 


1 


THE  SYSTEXr   EXPOSED. 


203 


1> 


J . . . , Ret.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

II A lliirnefs. 

I.  M (Jlovfs,  etc. 

Sc  ("o Kid  (ilovcs. 

K.  II..Steam-En<jiiieau(i  Cut-off. 
Bro.s.  &,  Co. .  .Imps,  Tobacco  and 

Cigars. 
W.  A.  &  T . . .  .Mnfrs.  Neck- 
ties. 
J.  II Liquors. 

C.  H.  O.  &  Co Mnfrs.  Valises. 

S Furniture. 

S.  &  Co Whol.  Clothin/f. 

&  G Fringes  and  Tassels. 

S.  C Hats,  etc. 

II.  P Prov.  Broker. 

J  Com'n  (Jrain,  etc. 

D.  II.  &  Co Oas  Stoves. 

I Broker  Crockery,  etc. 

I. . .  f Flowers. 

li Jobber  Millinery,  etc. 

S Neckties. 

&  G Wallpaper. 

C Com'n  Prod. 

K  Mnfr.  Lace  Goods. 

.1.  L Teas. 

M Co Mininjj. 

W &  Co Foundry. 

(i P &  P C 

M Co. 

C.  &  Co. .  .S.  Am.  Shipping  and 

Com'n. 

II Printer. 

&  S Wagons. 

E.  S Kailway  and  Carriage 

Cloth. 

A Real  Estate. 

&  S .  .Jobbers  Jewelry,  etc. 

M Watches,  etc. 

J Com'n  Silks. 

II Ret.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

&  S Piano  Materials. 

&  (1 R.  R.  Supplies. 

T.  C.  k  Co Brewers. 

E Florist. 

J Furnitur('. 

J.  . Lumber. 

T l/Kjuors. 

T.   P   lji(|uors. 

('.  &  Co Mdse.  Brokers. 

J.  T.  &  S Neckties. 

H.  V.  &  Co. . ,  .imps.  Laces,  etc. 

&  G Pianos. 

E Patent  Jacks. 

•  II Com'n  Licjuors. 

L Sewing-Macliines. 

T Jewelry. 

J.  M Com'n  Piiper. 

■J.  &  Co Mnfrs.'  Agents. 

&  A .  . .  .Mnfrs.  Jewelry  Set- 
lings. 


T 

M.B- 
McB- 
McC- 
McC- 

McC- 
McC- 
McC- 
McC- 

McC- 
McC- 
McC- 
McC- 
»IcC- 

McC- 

McC- 
McC- 
McC- 
McC- 
McC- 
McC- 
McC- 
McC- 

McC- 
McC- 
McC- 
McD- 
McD- 
McD- 
McD- 
McD- 
McE- 
McE- 


McE- 

McG- 
Mc(J- 
McG- 
McCJ- 
Mc(J- 
McG- 
Mc(J- 
M.(J- 
Mc(i- 

Mrll- 

McII- 
Mcl- 
Mcl- 
McK- 
McK- 
McK- 
McK- 
McK- 
McK- 

Mcl^r- 


&  B Ship  Clnxiidlors. 

—  S.  V Hats,  etc. 

—  J.  I).  &  Co Imps.  Laces. 

—  B Tailor. 

—  &  C ...'..  .Jobbers  Fancy 

Goods. 

—  J Tobacco  and  Cigars. 

—  J Tobacco. 

—  W Tobacco  Broker. 

—  N.  (S:  Bro Leather  anil 

Findings. 

—  P... Ret.  1).  G. 

—  &  Co Drugs. 

—  Bros Hardware. 

—  J.  &  Co Lumber. 

—  J.  G....Mnrr.  Women's  and 

Children'.s  Lace  Cups. 

—  &  Co. , .  .Oulvani/.i'd  and  Re- 

iined  Sheet  Iron. 

—  J.  M Gen'l  Com'n. 

—  J Malt,  Hops,  etc. 

—  W Huilder. 

—  J Builder. 

—  J.  E Builder. 

—  H.,  Agent. . .  .Sliip  Chandler. 

—  S.  G Drug  Broker. 

—  II. . .  .Mnfr.  Shirt  Bosoms  and 

Women's  Skirts. 

—  J.  J Lumber. 

—  J.  W Prov.  Broker. 

—  L Co. 

—  fi  u Rot.  B.  and  S. 

—  (i . .  .Com'n  Prod. 

—  J Restiiurant. 

—  R.  G..  .Contractors'  Supplies. 

—  L &,  Co Fruits. 

—  T imp.  Seeds. 

— T.  B i.i't.  Clothing. 

—  H &;Co.  . . .  .UuHijnito  Net- 

ting, etc. 

—  &  W Com'n  I'roJ. 

—  E Wines,  Li()S.,  etc. 

—  (i.  W.  .Paper  Fasteners,  etc. 

—  Miss  L Fanrv  Goods. 

—  J.  1) Mdse!  Broker. 

—  T.  &  Co Oil  Works. 

—  H Plumber. 

—  J Lnrd  and  (Jrcaso. 

—  li Writing  Fluids. 

1.  V '..  Shoes. 

—  P Ret.  D.G. 

—  it  B Wines  and  Liq. 

—  T ; Marble. 

—  C.  W Com'n  'i'imlHsr. 

—  &  F Drugs. 

—  &  W. .  .Shipping  siml  Com'n. 

—  W '..  .Miichinist. 

—  H Li()uors. 

—  J Ret.  Boots  and  Shoos. 

—  E Shades  and  Paper- 

hangings. 


I  !1 


t'  ',  i»i 


\  r 


:  ;1 


I 


'ill 


201 


TUK   COMMERCIAL  AGENCIES. 


McT^ 
McL- 


S^ 


McM- 


M- 

M- 
M- 
M- 
]M- 
M- 
M- 
iM- 
M- 
IM- 
M- 

>r- 

M- 
xM- 
M- 
M- 
jSl- 
iM- 

M- 
M- 
M- 

M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 


-  J Hotel. 

«S;  Co.  . .  AiiM  Fixtures,  China, 

etc. 

D ki.'i>. . .  .Shipi)inff  ami 

Coiii'ii. 

Mis.  J. . .  Alvt.  Fancy  (Joods. 

]{ IJonnct-Frimie  VV'iio. 

k  I) . . .  .SliipClmndltTs. 

F WIk.I.  II.  unil  C.,  etc. 

&  M LiqiifU's. 

-  A Stont^janl. 

\y &  Co Printers. 

-  &  V Lo()kiii<jf  (lla.sses. 

■  &  Co Coni'n  Cotton. 

-  &  W Coni'n  Prod. 

-F.  K Prod.  Broker. 

■  Hros Furniture. 

•  W.  &  Co  .Slii|)|iinfjand  Coni'n. 

■  \y.  A Coni'n  Twines,  etc. 

- .'.  ')  .^  .l"r  Auction  (Joods, 

-1.    ^.  ,11'  ">iny  and  Coin'n. 

•  C Colors. 

.  VV.  .V  iw Prod. 

■J iUil.  Fancy  (Joods. 

■  J.  '!',    Scrap  lion. 

■C.  \V.  ]}—    ''o Mnfrs. 

lirnsl.i'H. 

•  &  li . . .  .Coll(,'0  aui"  AiUJ.:M'd 

Mills. 
P Vurnislier. 

■  M Mnlr.  and  Wliol.  Furs. 

II Whol.  (Jro. 

J lii<iuors. 

&  .M Whol.  (Jro. 

.M IJluestoiut. 

i\:  ii .  .Shippiiifif  and  Coni'n. 

J.  S Mnlr.  Ladies'  Suits. 

M Mdso.   Hroker. 

&  M Imps,  and  Coin'n 

Sauces. 

iS;  Co Stonige. 

l^ M Co.  . .  I'aper  Haj^s. 

L Feed. 

'1' Coin'n  Ifiilian  Prod. 

Mine.  C.  .  .  .Ladies'  I'liderwear. 

11 lliiir  (Joods. 

.1 Adv.n-.   Au'eiit. 

L.  L Southern  ('oin'n. 

Mrs.   F R't.    F'cy  (Joods. 

■  S Iniii.  Dnii'frists'  Ware. 


I).   1). 


M- 
P- 
P- 

S- 
S- 
S- 


-  !cC- 

-Co. 
•  Co. 
M  — 
M— 
Co. 


, ('oni'ii  Flour,  (J rain 
and  Feed. 
Co. 


Co. 
■  Co.  of  Nevada. 


it  Hi'o Kid  (tloves. 

W         ...Mnlr.  Harness  Loops. 
II.  &,  Co.. Hankers  ami  Brokers. 


THE   SYSTEM    EXPOSED, 


20. ■> 


ill 


M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 

M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
iM- 

jM- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
IM- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
Jl- 
M- 


M- 
M- 

.M- 

M 

M- 

M- 

M- 

iA[- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 


■  S Gro. 

•  J.  1).  &  Co liiijiiors. 

■  (".  H 'roliiicro. 

■J.  .1 ("rockt'iy. 

•J.  1{.  iV  Co. . .  .Coiu'ii  iiikI  Iiii|)s. 

Ciffui's  iiiid  Suf^urH. 
■kVt) Tailors. 

■J 8t()V«!S. 

('.  F  Miifr.  Stiitioiicry. 

M.  &  Co Wiiiilow  Sluulcs. 

S,  M Miifi^'.  SilkH,  etc. 

■.^^ Fancy  (Jofxls, 

■  N Jo\v<'lIt'r. 

X Het.  HiitH. 

•  \V Gro. 

F.  &  H (Jro. 

it  M Saw  Mill. 

•  1 Men's  Furn'f^. 

•M.  &  II Li(i.  and  Oils. 

&  L Ci^'ars. 

M.  II ClotiiiitK. 

•  '1' Iiii|uorH. 

T Ship  Broker. 

■  &  Co Jewelry. 

.1.  F.  &.Co Prov. 

&  II ToyH. 

A.  II Mdse.  Broker. 

•J.  B liet.  HootH  and  Shoes. 

•  T.  .1.  . .  .Tea,  Coiruo  and  Si(ic<'a. 

T Furniture. 

^V.  C. . .  .Tinwaro  and  Uoolinjx. 

('.  U.  &  .1.  \V Tailors. 

<'.  S.  &  Co.  .Sashes  and  Blinds. 

•  J.  i\:  ("o Liijuors. 

.1.   II.  i\:  Son (ien'l  Coin'n. 

-M.  U.  i\:Co Coni'n  I'rod. 

iV  Co Dru^s. 

iV  Co Painters. 

■  \V.  E,  iV  Son Musi<'. 

Bros Af^onts  Thread,  etc. 

Mi>s  A Uet.  Millinery,  etc. 

S.   A Stock   iiroker. 

T.  B Fishinjr  Tackle,  etc. 

S.  II.  iS:  Son.  .Purchasinjf  A^ts. 
('.  ,1.  &C() Ret.  llaiH. 

B.  U Tobacco  an<l  <  'iy. 

J.  II DrufT  Brok.r. 

■  C.  S l)rui:s. 

M.   S Ret.  Fancy  (Joods. 

iV  II— Stock  Brokers. 

(J.  M Prov.  Brokd-. 


A.  C 


railoi'. 


-  M .  . 
&•  K- 


.11.  K.  Rio 


B. 


Motel. 

.South  American  Comi'm. 


W.  ( '.  .Stoves and  House  Fun 


M I).  &  (\ 

M V 

M- 
M- 

M- 


.\V 


nw's,  etc. 


.Mnfr.  Conilis. 


Ml 
P.  .V  !'■ 
N.   F. 


A. 


.I.i 


ijuors. 

liiijuors. 

.Coin'n  Furs. 


M- 
.M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 

M- 

M- 
M- 

M- 
M- 

M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
.\I- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
.M- 
M- 

M- 

:sr- 

M- 
M- 
M- 

M- 
M- 
.M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 

M- 
M- 


-  C Sign  Paintt'r. 

-iV-  I) Builders. 

-C.  P Tailor. 

-  B.  F Silver  Chaser. 

-  l'< Uiainonds  and  F'cy  (i. 

-  .1 Fancy  Hoods. 

-J Rot.  15oot-i  and  Shoes. 

(i.  W.  \- C.) Rubber  Paints. 

-Mrs.  A Ret.  Fancy  Goods. 

J. Marble. 

-T.  F I.ai)i<larv. 

■  H.N Com  II  Prod. 

-  I>.  P.  fcCo Stoi'k  Brokers. 

■  E.   E.  Sous Shiiiping  and 

Coin'n. 

■  II iS:  Co. .  .Financial  Ai^ents 

and  Brokers. 

li.  A:  Sou Founders. 

■R iV  Co....Roiul  Rrokeis, 

etc. 
■H.  E.  &  Co..Conrn  E.  I.  Goods. 

•  S Whol.  Clothin^,^ 

•  E Stock  Operator. 

■C &  Co Wines  and  Li(|. 

(J.  F Printers'  Ink. 

H.  (i Prod. 

•Mrs.  A Crockerv,  elc. 

.  1 1! A:  C R— ^  Co. 

II Ins.  Broker. 

■  .1 Patent  Meds. 

iS;  R Ret.  Clothinjr. 

iV  .M Spectacles. 

■  M Mnfr.  Hair  (Joods. 

■  N Cifi'ais. 

.1,  \V Fioiir. 

■  Mrs.  iv  1' House  Furu';r. 

■iV  K Gilders. 

.F.   !•; Ret.  Fancy  (ioods. 

J Tailor. 

.1 Hotel. 

-.1.  (i Uv.i.  I).(i. 

■\-  C \Vh(d.   Men's 

Fiiru'y. 

■  Pros Drug's  aiul  lOsseutial 

Oil.s. 

iV    I  i <  i  l< ). 

N.  1,.  iV  Co Pul.lishcr.-*. 

tV  llro lolilier.s  1>.  <i. 

•A;  ( 'u.  .  .  .(iro.  and  Coui'ii  Souih- 
1  rn   Plod. 

■  A .Mustard,  Spice  s,  <ic. 

P.  iV  Son.  .  .  .Ci'uria^i^  Painters. 
W.  11.  iV  Co.  .  I'Alelisioii  Tallies. 

■  1!.  .Ir.  iV  Co B.uikcrs. 

■  y\ Liipiors. 

■  P Chemicals. 

•  R.  ,Ir Shippiiif,'  and  ( 'oiu'n. 

•  1).  &  Co. . .  .Miit'rs.  and  .lubbers 

liiice  GiKids. 

•  I'" A:  Co.  Shipping  and  C<  in'n. 

J.  &  Co Lumber, 


,-i  ■■'   '\  ■ 


I  I 


ill  HI 


k1' 


m  ^' 


200 


THE  COMMERCIAL  AGENCIES. 


:il 


Ji &  Co Stock  Brokers. 

M &.(.(> Coin'n  Prod. 

M V Ilet.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

M II Printer. 

M II Jobber  Cloths. 

^I S Women's  Cups. 

M S.  F Hot.  Fancy  and  I).  U. 

M M Co. . .  .SnioothiniT  Irons. 

M &  (} Pickles. 

M &  U Coni'n  Flour  and 

Feed. 

M &  P Laces,  etc. 

N M Liijjer  Beer. 

N M lloiis(!  Fiirn'jif  (Jooda. 

N A Photographer. 

N (} Liquors. 

X &  L . . .  .]\rnrr8.  Suspenders. 

N H.  II. Ret.  Hats, Caps,  Furs,  etc. 

N S Co. 

X iV  O Jewelry. 

X K.   W Broker. 

X I'].  &  Son Jol)bers  Clothinfj. 

X &  P Mnlrs.  Imitation 

Hair. 

X C" Co. 

N T Co. 

X M' L &  'A Co. 

X W M Co. 

X A Stoves. 

X 8.  &  Co Imps.  Wines  and 

Li(l. 

X A Metals. 

X L Whol.  Clothing. 

N K <&   ti Fireworks, 

etc. 

X Mrs.  R Gen'l  Com'n. 

X' F.  A Brewer. 

X D Ciibinetnikr. 

X &  II Mnfrs.  Xeckties. 

X 1 Z Co. 

X II Mnfr.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

X A Jobber  Straw  <tooils. 

N c.  E.  &  Co Men's  Fnrn'g. 

X CJ.  &  Bro Ret.  F'cy  (Jonds. 

X J.  &  Sons Jobbers  Fancy 

Ooods. 

Xew-York  A Co. 

Xew-York  A C P &  P 

Co. 

Xew-York  A Co. 

Xew-York  C S Co. 

Xew-York  C Co. 

Xew-York  C P Co. 

Xew-York  C &  S (  o. 

Xew-York  C W . 

Xew-York  E &P Co. 

Xow-York  F S Co. 

Xew-York  (J &  II Co. 

Xew-York  (} S Co. 

Xew-York  &  11 P Co. 

New- York  II E Co. 


Xew-York  I. P Co. 

Xew-York  M Co. 

Xew-York  &  X S S Co. 

Xew-York  &  O C Co. 

Xew-York  () Co. 

Xew-York  P C Co. 

Xew-York  P M . 

X(!W-York  P W . 

Xew-York  R Co. 

Xew-York  S M Co. 

Xew-York  S W . 

Xew-York  S S Co. 

Xew-York  &  S C &  I Co. 

Xew-York  S M Co. 

Xew-York  T &  D Co. 

Xew-York  T &  E Co. 

Xew-York  V Co. 

Xew-York  W &  S Co. 

Xew-York  W P Co. 

Xew-York  W &  P Co. 

X E.  S Saddlery. 

X' li Stock  Broker. 

X Bros Imps.  Fancy  Goods. 

X G Coal. 

N I.  U Ret.  Shoes. 

X J Coal. 

X ]) &  Co China,  etc. 

X A.  11.  &  Co Stock  Brokers 

and  Auctioneer.". 

X' A Mer.  Tailor. 

X &  K Passage  and 

Ticket  Agents. 

X O.  II Mnfr.  Fancy  Goods. 

X S.  A Lumber. 

X M Contractor. 

X &  (I Lumber. 

X Bros Watches. 

X II. \V Jewelry. 

X E.  S.  &  Co Jobbers  Cloths. 

X A X K P Co. 

X R I Co. 

M C.  M.  &  Co Furniture. 

X M.  C.  &  Co Coal. 

X P Contractor. 

X &  D M Co. . .  .Saddlery 

H'ware. 

X T Furniture. 

OB J.  K Paints  and  Oils. 

O'H J Ret.   Liquors. 

O'B R Licjuors. 

O'C P.  J.  &  Co Dry  Dock 

Owners. 

O'C &  Son Ret.  D.  (J. 

O'C E Mnfr.  Imitation  Hair. 

OD J Iron  Foundry. 

O'D D Silk  Broker. 

O'll J.  &  Bro Ret.  Boots  and 

Shoes. 

O'K T Stationery. 

O'M Bros.. Ret.   Boots  and  Shoes. 

O'X B Liquors. 


IL 


THE   SYSTEM   KXl'OSKI). 


2U7 


11 


An 

I'' 


ii^n 


—  p.  II Collins. 

—  &  Co Mnrblo  Mantrls. 

—  A.  &  Co liiiiuopH. 

—  C Builder. 

¥.V Colli. 

tfc  K . . .  .Washing  MucliincH. 


O'N- 

o'N- 
ON'- 
<)•]{- 
<) — 
<) — 

0 I' Mnl'r.  Cloaks  and  Suit.s. 

() Mrs.  S Uet.  F'cy  (i(M)il,s. 

() &  w MnfrH.  Shirts. 

0 S Ket.  Clothing. 

0 F.  &  Son CablntJtnikrH. 

0 A.  S.  &  E Livery  Stabk-.s. 

() &;  Co Slii))piiig  and  Coni'n. 

O &  C Moulding  Mill. 

i) U Wines,  etc. 

() I.  J Printer,  etc. 

() .1.  C .Jobber  Notions. 

O C Puperhanizings. 

() &  Co Hitters. 

(> &  Co Teas,  etc. 

0 J.  W.  &,  Son House  Furn'g. 


(>- 
O- 
()- 
()- 
O- 

O- 
()- 
<)- 
O- 
<)- 
()- 
O- 

O- 
()- 
()- 
()- 
()- 
()- 
(>- 
P- 

P- 
P- 
1'- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 


&C thins. 

—  (}.  &  Co Bankers. 

—  S V Co. 

—  S Sausage  Casings. 

—  M &  S . . .  .Siiusiige  Cas- 

ing Mnfg. 

—  P Jobber  Hosiery,  «'tc. 

—  M Co. . .  .Patented  Articles. 

—  Fj Harness. 

—  (J Mnfr.  Caps. 

—  J.  U.  &  Co Bankers. 

—  VV Tailor. 

—  W.  C Hemp,  Bagging  and 

Twine. 

—  ,T Wines. 

—  F.  A.  &  Co Oil. 

—  II.  1) Mattresses,  etc. 

—  &  W Laces,  etc. 

—  L Fancy  (ioods. 

—  1).  Fi Carpets. 

—  ().  C.  &  Co Stationers. 

—  K &  F . . .  .Hoofing  Ma- 

terials and  Varnish. 
--  M.  J.  &  Co Music  Boxes. 

—  N &  Co. . .  .Leather  Brokers. 

—  J.  11 Wireworker. 

—  A Mnfr.  Suits. 

_  A IJ W Co. 

—  Bros Jobbers  Cotton  Goods. 

—  &  Co Confec. 

—  M Tobacco. 

-U.  It Prod. 

—  Bros Drugs. 

—  J.  A Lithographic  Presses. 

-N.  O.  &Co Oils. 

—  W.  S Woodenware. 

—  (} Fireworks. 

-M.  H Oils. 

-W.J Chemist. 

—  J.&Co Gen'l  Coni'n. 


P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P~ 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 

P- 
1'- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 


P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 


P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 


P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 

r- 
p- 

V- 

p- 
p- 
p- 


-  &  C Mnfrs.  CigarB. 

-J Ciiairs. 

-P.J Drugs. 

-  Bros Stock  Brokers. 

•  B U Co. 

-  C S H &  W Co. 

-  K T L Co. 

-  S A S Co. 

-  H.  &  Co. .  .Shipping  and  Com'n. 

-  L.  &  Bro Photo.  Goods. 

-  C.  G Operator. 

-G   T Bookbinder. 

-  H.  A Stock  Broker. 

-  F.  &;  Co. . .  .Druggists'  Sundries, 

etc. 

-  K &  Co Foundry. 

-  F.  C.  tS:  Co Billiard  Saloon. 

.  I M c. 

-  W.  &  Co Com'n  Flour. 

-  G.  W Jobber  Dry  Goods. 

-  L.  ISI.  &  Co Tea  Dealers. 

-P.  L Ship  Chandler. 

-  M.  M Carriages. 

.  &  1} M .  .Children's  Car- 
riages. 

-C.  II Banker. 

-&M ..Mnfrs.  Silk  Uibbons. 

-  C Artificial  Flowers. 

-  &  P Com'n  Furs. 

-  Bros.  &  Co Shipping  and 

Coni'n. 

-  &  O . .  .Shipping  and  Com'n. 

-  &  S I{.  J{.  Securities. 

-J.  A Gen'l  Com'n. 

-J.  L Music  Pul)'r. 

-  S.  D Wheelwriglit. 

•  Bros Imps.  Cuilery. 

-  C;.  &  E.  J Coni'n  Lumber. 

-  &Co Publishers. 

-  &  O . ,  ..Wheelwrights,  etc. 

-  J.  T Tailor. 

-  L.  A Liq.  and  Canned  Fruits. 

-  W.  K Uet.   1).  (i. 

-T Wines. 

-  J.  &  Co Paper  Hexes. 

-  E Het.  Men's  Furn'g. 

■<J.  E Mnfr.  Billiard  Tables. 

-  &  E Jobbers  Fancy 

(ioods. 
■  &  G Jewelrv. 

•  &  S MnlVs.  Cli). 

■J : Tailor. 

•  A i\:  Co Puldisher.-^. 

■J.  B.  iS:  Son Shipping  and 

Com'n. 

M Co Camera  Obscuras. 

&  Co Gen'l  Mdse.  Brokers. 

•  F Insect  Powders. 

E.  S.  &Co Feed. 

-E Co. 

&  I) Steam  Governors. 


<     S'  >'l 


41 

'  it 


4 

'fH 


M 


;  Wiii 


208 


^ 


TIIH   COMMKUCIAL   AdKXClES. 


I    ' 


mr 


i  ;  ;i 


1'- 
r- 

1'- 

I' 

j'- 

p- 

1'- 

i»- 

1'- 


A  Tii(|unrH. 

Jii'os.  iV  Co Hops,  etc. 

1{.  ], Kniit  Broker. 

.1    IS Fw.ljr. 

li.   Soil Optician. 

II.  II IJookHellfraiul  Stiit'.v. 

iV  Co .Gold  1111(1  Spi'cit!. 

F.  II.  &  Co I'liblihiuiH. 

I Hct.  FaiK'y  (JooiIh. 

() Machinery  Affcnt. 


P iV  Co SpiccH. 

]' ,M.  A Stock  Broker. 

P H.  H.  &  J.  L Furniture. 

P 11 Ket.  Clotliiuji. 

P H.&  Co Lv«^ 

V 1.  &  Hro Conlec. 

P k,  L . .  .Mnfra.  Ladies'  Cii]in, 

etc. 

P &  Co Store. 

P v..  1) Coni'n  Prod. 

p E Co. 

P &  U iMiuiiderH. 

P W.  K Muf.r.  Agent. 

]> H A I'o. 

P ]^ro.^ CaliinetiiikrH. 

P E Het.  Millineiv. 


P- 
P- 
1'- 

P- 
P- 
1'- 
P- 
P- 
1'- 

P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
1'- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
]'- 
!'- 
i>- 


1'- 
P- 

P- 

P- 
P- 


•  J Hardware. 

■  &  S M Co Furii. 

llrcM. .  .Sowing  Machine  Attach- 

ineiitH. 

&  M R.  E.  Apiits. 

1) Cliiiirs. 

P.  F ....Tailor. 

M A;  S Printers. 

■M.  &  Hro Wiiol.  SiiirtH. 

■  S.  L Imp.  Featlicrn  and 

Flowers. 

.T.P Printer. 

U.  M Ket.  Slioes. 

Hios Cloaks. 

J.ll Gro. 

■  iV'  Sons AVines  and  \a{\. 

■  W.  I. . .  .Coiu'n  Floiiraiid  (fraiii. 
■Dr.  C.  T Patent,  Meils. 

■  1> Driiji'''. 

•J.I) Ket.  Clotliiufr,  ete. 

-.1 Kooks. 

■  J.  &  Son Jajjiuiners. 

1).  II Priir.er. 

J.  I. Hit.  IlaiH. 

J.  I>.  &  Co Stock  Brokers. 

k.  T Mnlrs.  Plated 

Jewelry. 
M P Co. 

■  1! Ret.  Men's  Furn'g. 

k  P R.  R.  Suiiplics. 

J.  15.  .  .  .Jobber  Toy.s  and  Ftincy 

(iooils. 

A &  M Mnfrs. 

Ladies'  Suits. 
C.  J R.  II.  Iron. 


P- 
P- 

P- 

P- 

Q- 
Q- 
<l- 

(l- 

Q- 

R- 
R- 
R- 

R- 
1{- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
li- 
R- 
R- 
li- 
]{- 
1!- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
1!- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 
R- 


\y.  H Drugs. 

'r.  L .Mnfr,  Piuiio  H'ware. 

>* \  C Mnlrs.  Ladien' 

Suits,  etc. 
-  M Co. 

F Pul)li.~lier. 

Mrs.  (i Hair  (ioods. 

II .Maiiogiiny. 

■J Boots  and  Mines. 

■  11 &  Co Cut  and  I'hi- 

giaved  Glass. 

E.  A Coal. 

(».   C Satis. 

•J.  II Fisli. 

•  &  Bro Ship  Hioki  rs. 

•  S iV  Co Mnfrs.  Hats  and 

Caps. 

<) Co. 

P—  Co. 

■  iS;  K Manurog. 

-M W.  1.  Coin'n. 

■  P L Co. 

■  J.  R.  &  Co. . .  .Blasting  Powder. 

•  &  T Bookbinders. 

(>.  A i'rinter. 

■  S Coulee. 

S.  R llardwiui! 

•  I.  C.  B Crockirv. 

■  W (iri). 

■  &  S .    Ins.  Brokers. 

■M.  L Mnfr.  Unibrelias. 

■<J.  H Laker. 

&  Son Jeweliirs. 

■  i\:   Bro \Voolleii  Rugs. 

W.  M.  M Co.  .Biiriiil  Cil^es. 

<■.  W. . .  .(linger  IJeerand  Cider. 

J.   A Banker. 

(.11 Hotel. 

■  J.  Jr Cider,  Bnindv.  etc. 

W.J Piiiiter. 

•  \V.  11 I,i(|ii()rs. 

(i.  11 1'liveiopes. 

•  S (1 Co. 

■  iV  Co Books,  etc. 

•  &  S Tobacco. 

•  J.  E HouseFurn'g  (iood.s. 

•C.  E lew.  Her. 

■(!.  R Ret.  Miiliiiery. 

11.  C.  Jr Platedware. 

J.  A , Miiehinery. 

J.  J Printi'r. 

P Prod.  Dealer. 

I.  T Stables. 

.\.  M. .Men's  l-'iiri.'g. 

■  J.T    Jr i!:!liai(U 

■  S  t*c  Co.  .  .  .Confec.  Supplies. 

F.  A.  . .  .Iiii]).  Drugs,  I'aiiiis,  et(^ 

•  .1.  J.  iV  Son. .  .Mnlrs.  Finiiiture. 

■  I'i:  S Vaniislies. 

•  l'" Photo.  Materials. 

■C.  B Feed. 


H. 


THE   Si'STEM   EXPOSED. 


iiuy 


m 


'owdcr. 
hiiuli'iH. 
I'riiitir. 

.('(Hllt'C. 

ivdwaro 
rockery. 

. .  .(iri). 
Mnikcrrt. 
ilirt'Uiif. 
, .  litikiT. 

\vtllirn. 

lilM'H. 

Cider, 
nnkcr. 
(ltd. 
ly,  ttc. 
'lintcr. 
i(|Ui)ra. 


ks,  etc. 

)1:11CC(). 

( ioiids. 
\vi  11(  r. 
iliiicry. 
(■(hviuc. 
liiiiciy. 
l'rint;'r. 
P.'iilcr. 
St!d)lfS. 
Kiiri.'.u;. 
iiirds. 

\\\>,  l't(!. 

iriiitiiri'. 
iriiislii'S. 
uterials. 
.I'cod. 


K- 
H- 
li- 
11- 
H- 
11- 
1{- 
1{- 
K- 
II- 
li- 
]{- 
U- 
K- 
K- 
1{- 
11- 
K- 
li- 
1{- 
K- 
1{- 
li- 
It- 

n- 
li- 

K- 

i{- 

i{- 
11- 
11- 
11- 
li- 
11- 

11- 
11- 
li- 
11- 
it- 

K- 
1{- 
11- 
li- 
K- 
11- 
1{- 
li- 
K- 
K- 


.  I» IJrt.  Jewelry. 

-  K Mii.-<icul  Iii.stH. 

-  S.J C'lothrt, 

-J Ret.  UiiDt.s  ami  SlioeH. 

-J Builder. 

-  C.  W Seeds  ftiid  Oruin. 

-  T.  P Cnill'll  1).  (J. 

-11 Ciiemicnls. 

-A Ciirars. 

-  Ij.  F .Miit'r.  (iriiin  15ii{^H. 

-  fi  15 l.euliicr  X'arnisli. 

-  11 iV  Co Uoa'l  Coiu'ii. 

-A Dyir. 

-  P Co Mufrn.  Ptuut. 

-J.  M Fruit. 

-P.  M IM.  H.  iiml  S. 

-  F.  F Li(iiiorR. 

-  A:  N Ucstaiiraiit. 

-  W.  M UiiiiluT. 

-  iS:  II Coni'ii  Alcohol. 

-J Fruit  Uroker. 

-M .Mut'r.  Neckties 

-  A.  K.  Ov'  Co..Miiiitrrt.  I'crfununy. 

-  C Manfr.  Artilicial 

Flowers. 
-J.J Iron. 

-  VV.  J Uuches. 

-  T.  C.  II Co Ilardware. 

-  (r.  J', Ship  Chimdler. 

-  IJ.  &  Sou Com'u  Silk  ami 

China  (ioodn. 

-  15 Mnfr.  Neckties. 

-M Broker  and  Coni'n. 

-B i:Co Coal. 

-  {' C'o Cojiper  Oro. 


&  Co Imps.  Curtains,  etc. 

S iV  Co Loukinjr-Glas.s 

Plates. 

•  I &  Co Patterns. 

■  A Com'u  Enil)roideries. 

•  &  Co Coiii'n  Prod. 

■  T Com'n  Mer. 

•  &  M Painters. 

■  &  W Painters. 

•  J.  11 Com'u  Lumber. 

■  C.  &  Co Mdsc.  Brokers. 

■T Ihiiff.s. 

-  iV  Co Whol.  Iii()U()rs. 

-  &  K Li(juors. 

•  E   Oro. 

■  S.  &  Co Com'u  Prod. 

-  H Leather. 

-  M Co Mul'rs.  Lace 

(joods. 

H W.  C Litlio{rra])her. 

11 J Brewer. 

K C.  11.  &  Co Stock  Brokers. 

H E.  If.  &  Co Brass  Goods,  etc. 

K (f.  B.  c:  Co C'oui'u  Flour. 

K 11 Gro. 

R M A 


U &  B Mufrs.  llnniin-rs. 

K P.  I).  6i  Co Com'n  Cottou. 

K &  C( Foi'iirn  Kspress, 

|{ M.  C Culiiiu  Com'n. 

K Bros Ci^'ars. 

U W.  II.  &I,  Co Patent  Lined 

Pails, 

U J Tailor. 

U II.  II Tailor. 

11 »'«  .M Printers. 

U .\.  it  Co lewelrv,  etc. 

U II.  C.  iV  Co Fi.sh  l^;  ("om'n. 

It J.  S.  &  Co Teas,  CotKr.n,  etc. 

U i\:  D Stuck  Brokers,  etc. 

U J Brewery. 

B C.  V IlatsiS;  Caps. 

]{ J.  B Sleam  iioilers, 

U S Cum'n  Cottou. 

\i S E Co. 

1! (' E Co. 

B C.  J Coal. 

B L  B.  iV  Co Patent  Meds. 

11 iV  Co Stationers. 

K J.  M.  &Co Liquid  Glue. 

11 &  K Mut'rs.  Neckties. 

|> ,V  B Bet.  Fancy  tioods. 

B F Fancy  Goods. 

1! .M Jol)l)er  Fancv  Goods. 

R &  Co D.  G.  Brokers. 

B iV  Co Tohacco. 

B iS:  Co Whol.  Clothing. 

B iV  M Mufrs.  Shirts. 

B M Bet.  I>.  G. 

1! iV  Co Jobher.s  Fancy  I).  G. 

B S Hoopskirt^-. 

B E Put.  Iwmcv  Goods. 

B A.  &  Co Whol.  Li(|uors. 

B A Mut'r.  Cloaks. 

B J Leather  and  Findings. 

Ji Mrs.  M Fancy  (ioods. 

11 1.  &'  A Bet.  1).  ({. 

B S.  D.  &  Co Neckwear. 

B J Liipior.-i. 

B J Distiller. 

B iV  W Com'u  (iro. 

B J.  O'l) Hotel. 

B W C Co Toothpicks, 

etc. 

II W Imp.  I'^uii'v  Leather. 

B J Billiard  Tallies. 

B W Leather  an<l  Findines. 

B S.,  Jr Mufr.  Lace  (ioocls. 

B Bro.s Mnlr.-;.  Ladies'  Undcr- 

irai'meuts. 

B &  F Jdiilji/rs  CIo. 

B J.  F Brewer. 

B C Jobber  Cloth. 

11 C JInfr.  Feathers  and 

Flowers. 

11 J.  11 Shipping  aud  Com'n 

Prov. 


^B 


*  I 


1| 


1*1 


if 


m 


1 

i 

P 

1 

f 

1 

iii 

1 

I 

!   'j': 

m  . 

f:!  * 

'i 

- 

'-* 

\ 


m 


210 


ii- 

u- 

K- 
U 

u- 

n- 
i{- 
II- 
u- 
i{- 
]{- 


TIIK   COMMKIUJIAL   AOKNX'IKS. 


T..., 
!•:.  A. 
H 

'r. . . . 
it  i;- 


u 


.fJnHfcd  Oil. 
Iml.  l/i(juorn. 


iVH M Co. 

Sliipiiiiif,'  1111(1  Conrn. 

— liiiliH.  Wiiii'H  uiid 

Li.,. 

Drii^TH. 

I)riif,'-n. 

Ilot.l. 

OilLSS. 

lioDJiliiiidcrM. 


R- 
I{- 

H- 
S- 

S- 
H- 


H- 


S 

S 

St.  J- 
St.  M 

S 

S 

s 

s 

K 

K 

S 

s 

s 

H 


■  .].V 

-iV Co 

-J.  K 

-  W.  tl 

&  |{ 

■  (,' &  ('o.  ..IiiiiiH.  mill  JoIjIkpm 

.Muii'h  l-'iirnV. 

■I) Tiiilor. 

-M.  F ..I).  (1. 

li NN'a;,'onn. 

M I'iiics,  ('tc. 

&  Co Wliol.  Ci;^arH. 

k,  Co.  ..KhirtH  iind  Mcii'h  Fiiin'pf. 

J.  A Joi)  I'riiitcr. 

J.  II J)ru;,'i,Nsfn'  SimdricH. 

T.  iM. If.  K.  Hrokcr. 

1'].  W.  &  Hro StiitioncrH  and 

I'riiitci'H. 

k  M l{(t.  Clotliin;,^ 

U.&J ruhliHlicr.s. 

—  '■ (ii'ii'l  Com'ii. 

U 1. Co. 

W.  &Co Ship  IJrokcr.s. 

S 'robac(.'f>, 

INI.  &  K 'J'oliacco. 


H 

S 

S 

K 

S 

S 

K- 
S- 
S- 

s- 

S- 

K- 
S- 
H- 
S- 

s- 

K- 
K- 
S- 

s- 
s- 


i'i.  Y Coin'n. 

M Ui't.  I'"aiicy  <u)()(]», 

S.  ]j Com'n  Hardwaro. 

W Uct.  I>.  (i. 

T.  &Co AK''MtH   Ales. 

&S \V]iol.(  lo. 

&  11 Afi^oiit  for  II '.s  Sons. 

J Hair  Goods. 

-  1) ,     Iji(|llol-: . 

-  K CofTco  HroliiT. 

-  S Co Mineral  Wiitcr.-;. 

-.1.15 Ouiuio. 

-  .1.  II Hostauraiit. 

-^J Fancy  (j'cxjds. 

-  \V.  E.  Jr.  &  Co Ut;t.  Drii^.s. 

-  K (Iro. 

-  K.  &  A Jdwidltra. 

-P Blower. 

•J HuildiirH'  Hardware. 

-I).  &Co Vhol.  IJ.  andS. 

-  &.  S Hankers,  etc. 

-  Bros Wlioi.  Clothing. 

-  H Ayent  Stationery. 

-  F.  X '.. .  .BcHtaurant. 

-J A lloiiKe. 

-  J.  &  Co Mnfr.H.  Tinware. 

-J Importer  Optical  tloods. 

■  C.  &  Co Cabinetmakers. 

-  R Speculator. 

-  E Auctioneer. 


S C Com'n  Fnncy  Oooilfi 

S 1.  I' Iron. 

S 1! I'ictiire  {''raiiiiH,  it(;. 

S (J.  iV  Son Jol)l)(  rn  ( 'loiliiiiir 

S S.  iV  N Wiiol.  (ip'! 

S V i.i(|iinrs. 

S — —  li Itct.  Hals  iiiid  ( 'apH. 

S jM 1,'ct,  I'luicy  (iodds, 

S II.  &  Co Uet.  Clo. 

S ]..  ':  Co {{ct.  Cloijiinir. 

S .J.    {''aiicy   (loods. 

S W.J lolilier  <'lotlis. 

•    S T |.,i,  Printer. 

I    S II I'lumijer. 

'   H \i.  &  Co Sldiipiiiu'  Com'n . 

I    S J KJiine  ^Vin.^ 

!    S J.  k  Co ]i(  af  'I'oliacco. 

S k  S Furniture. 

S F Mnf.  Hair  (inods. 

S II PeddliMs'  Supplies. 

S F I'rov.   Broker. 

S J.  M Uet.  Fancy  (ioods. 

S S k  K Co. .  ..Soldi  r  and 

Lend. 

S (.'.  II Hills. 

S 1,  (i ..Mnfj,'.  Jeweller. 

S W I''iiriiitiire. 

S 1).  L Coiu'ii  l{.  [{.  Iron. 

S k  Co.  ^ ,Ma])S,   etc. 

S II 1).  (i.  Aiictioiieir. 

S .1 Fi.>5li  and  Oysti.'rs. 

S k  1) (iiins,  etc. 

S J.  I-; Texan  C(>iii'n. 

S li lira.sH  Band  In.sts. 

S k  C Showcases. 

S ,1 St  air  builder. 

S F Prov.  Broker. 

S 11 Pianos. 

S k  Co.  ...Mnfrs.  Cloth  Hats,  Caj)H, 

etc. 

S J.(} T;"dor. 

S C.  L 'I'oyrt  and  Fancy  (ioods. 

S J.  F J \V— Park. 

S &  M .. .  .Cement  and  Mineral 

W'ater.s. 

S ir.  W (Iro. 

S P Uet.  Fancy  1).  (J. 

S W Itet.  I''aiicy  Ooods. 

S F.  II Specie  Broker. 

S F.  C.  k  Co M^l>,^  Stiitioners. 

S &  Co I'mhrellns. 

S M.  F.  &  Co Planiii},'  Mill. 

S S Butcher. 

S P M ('o.  .Looking-Cilnss 

Plates. 

S 11.  K.  &  V.  II Whol.  (Jro. 

S A Furnituro. 

K H.  H.  &  Co ^'ovidtieB. 

j   S II Tailor. 

I   S MrH.  J Mnfr,  Tohacco. 

I  S L Hot.  Millinery. 


'iiiK  sv.-'TiiM  i:xpo««i;i). 


S A.. J SffiVfH. 

H (i H C... 

S ('.  \V'..SIii|i|i('r  l-'lrmr  iiikI  (imiii, 

K (».  \V    iV  <'.. ClntliiliK. 

S J.  iV  Ci).  .Miifrn.  lloix-  HlniikcfH. 

S IF.  M I) ll.MiM). 

S \V.  il Stock  Urokcr. 

H iS:  (' .Soda  WutiT  A|)|iiiiatiiH. 

H H.  V.  I*.-  F.  1» I)vi-w(.(m1m. 

S I tiiiH,  etc. 

S K (iro. 

S Mi'H.  !•; Ifi'Minuniiit. 

S J.  A Sliip  CliiiiKllcr. 

S II.  I Cimrii  I'md. 

H (' Mirmr.^,  etc. 

S J Wll^jOllH. 

S I.  M.  .Ir Icw.liy. 

8 ^^.  iV  Co.  . .  .('om'ii  [■'uiicy  (IooiI.h, 

S Z Contractor. 

S S.  A:  Soil IJoilrriimUiT.s. 

K S M ( ■(). 

S iV  K Coiii'ii  Prod. 

K II liii[).  l''on'ii,'ii  I'Viiit.-*. 

K &  M . .. MnlrH.  ».  and  S. 

S I,.  I) Crock,  ry. 

S !;.  iS:  \V l()l)licrH  KIowith. 

S A lolilicr  Wliii('  (ioodn, 

S 11 Iiii[».  (■eriiiau  l/mciiH. 

S Z Tobacco. 

S IF   (icriiiaii  I'rod.,  «'tc. 

S iV  V Miifr.s.  f>iio\vciisi,'S. 

S 1.  I! Optician. 

S S Ciirar.s. 

S A.T.  i^Soii Moiiidiiii,'.--. 

S M K C„. 

S (' ,  .T,i()iior;<. 

S 1'^ F'ictiircH. 

S \\- — iVCo....MnfrH.  Silk  Hats. 

S &  K . . .  .Salinutsand  Cottmi- 

ftdcH. 

S M <'" CordiiilH,  ISittcr.-J, 

etc. 

S &  \V Coni'n  .Meat. 

S S U.  K.  ()i)crator. 

S J IJ(]iiors. 

S &  S Not(!  FJrokcrs. 

S S.  F Men's  I'nrn'i,'  ( iood.s. 

S \V.  1''.  iV'  Co Cotn'ii  IF'wiirc. 

S h Human   llair. 

S J.  (i.  ^  Co.  ..Mnfr.4.  I5lank hooks. 

S .M.  .V;  W.  I.  k,  Co.Coiii'a  Carprts. 

S iV  I{ 1 Co.  .Metal  I'ipes. 

S C.  C.  iV  Co Ket.  IF.  and  C. 

S I) Tow  lioats. 

S Bro.s Cariiets. 

S T Iii(inorH. 

S S.  W.  iN:  I) .  .  Ajrcnts  (irocers' 

Sundries,  etir. 

S J I/Kpiors. 

S N.  M Mdsc.  Brokur. 


S- 
S- 
S- 

S- 
S- 

s- 
s- 

S- 

s- 
s- 

s- 

s- 

S— 
S- 
S— 
S- 
S-- 
S- 
S- 

s~ 

s- 

S- 
S- 
««;_ 

s- 
s- 


S- 

S- 
S- 
S- 

s- 
s- 

S- 
S- 
S- 

s- 

S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 

s- 

S- 

S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 


S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 


-  .1.  .Ir Hardware. 

-  |{ Ilooi-i  and  Shoes. 

-  !•;.  S .Metal  Broker. 

-  I.  A 'I'nisse-i, 

-  II iV  Co Imps.  Whit.. 

( ioods,  l/iiii'ii,  etc. 

-  W.  \  Co liuiikcrs. 

-C.  \V (Iro. 

-  I) CcHijier. 

-  <l I'etroleiini  FJroker. 

-M.. Tailor. 

•  &  !•; . .. .  Mnfrs.  Cluiliintj  iind 

Shirts. 

■  M Brower. 

-  II.  B t  'oin'n  Straw  (Joods. 

-  |{.  1< l!et.  Fancy  (j1(khI.-(. 

-  !• Co. 

-  .1.  M Imp.  I.enf  Tohncro. 

-  ] )  III)!  Mr  \\  liitD  (ioods. 

-  I>.  iV  Co .MiiHonii;  (foods. 

-  (1 lewellcr. 

-  H.  1> loMierToys. 

-  A.  \-  Co Het.  Clothitii,'. 

-  .).  .).  it  F Wines  and  Liip 

-  iV.  .J Suwinx  Machines. 

-T Cl<l^hin'.,^ 

■&<< I{et.  Clo. 

-it  II FM.  Hats,  Cap.-, 

Furs,  etc. 
-Airs.  .M.  .M l£et.  I),  (i. 

■  C Iol)l)er  I'ancy  d'oods. 

■T .Mnfr.  Shirts. 

C jjeal   i:Htate, 

■  (i.  I'.  iV  Co .Mnfr.s.  I'ocket- 

hooks. 

■  M.  iV  n.'o, .  ciotiiiM,!^ 

■  .1.  1* l-itho^naiiher. 

■C.  D Ship  Broker. 

■  S.  I. FJquors. 

•  F<.  IF.  iV  Co.  .  .  .LunUxT  niid  Coal 

■  it  Co Imps.  Fancy  (Joods 

■  \V.  .Ir Books. 

■  &  M .  ..Shippini;  and  Corii'n. 

J.  J (Jro. 

•  \V.  S T House. 

■  it  L . . .  .Saddlery  Hardware. 

i; Hats. 

1! Bet,  I'ancy  (ioods. 

Bros   l/iipiors. 

-M it  <  o Siiirar  Biokfirs. 

.1.  C.  it  Son Com'n  I'rod. 

<i.  C :l'rov.  Broker. 

.1.  11 Build(!r. 

\V-—  it  Co .Mnfrs.  Blank. 

hooks. 

it  B Sii^'ar  Brokcr.s. 

A I.ciif  Tohacco. 

A.  VV Auctioneer,  etc. 

B.  W I'rod. 

CM Litliof^raphor. 

C.  G Hats. 


m 


i::    ^ 

i 

■<; 

' 

1* 

i 

f' 

k 

1 

'     \ 

mi 


212 


TlIK   COMMI'KCIAL   AOKXCIKS. 


S l>.  :>[ Huildcr. 

S Mrs.  V.  ,\ Ii'ct.  I'"aiii-v  <iiMv<ls. 

S F ■.  ...OilH. 

S I'",  ir (idV'l  ( 'nlUlilctor. 

S (1.   1' Colli  luctor. 

S II Hotel. 

S II.  .N Stock  ()|.(r;itr)r. 

S .J.  F .Muff.  Hnisli.s. 

S I.W liiiildcr. 

S X.  \V Kiiildn-. 

S 1*.  !•' Sti\tioiici'. 

S 1{ fat-pot,'^. 

S S.  (• F lloiisf. 

S S.  J Mn^l.^  .I.'willcf. 

S S.  ^V.,  I'^sl.  of Wooden 

Horses. 

S \V.  .T F'loiir  I'.roker. 

S W.  1 I'oitery. 

S W.  1! S'.airiiullder,  elV. 

S ('.  iV  Co   r.laekiiii:-. 

S C A:  Co Coin'ii  liumlier. 

S .1.  A.  .V  Co Lii:liiei>. 

S J.  M.iV  Co Cotton. 

S li.  \V.  <.':  Co ilookliiiuler.-^. 

S .^  1' Coal. 

S iV  Co.,  Au'i'iits. , Carpiis. 

tS iV  ]■! Coin'ii  I'rod. 

S iV  (i- li'e^ti'.nrant. 

S iV  1 4 Hron/e  Articles. 

S A;  S .M Co.  ..Maehiidsts. 

S iV  i; Iron  li'ailin^s. 

S \V.  H loh  Printer. 

S \V.  j: Sliip  Hroker. 

S 1 \rt  (iallerv. 

S \V luMii  r  l>.  ("i. 

S ]•; HiiildcM'. 

S 1 Builder. 

S i\;  K— — . . . .  .Sliiiii  iiii:;  \'  ('om'n. 

S i\:  Co I'ianos. 

S .\.  A:  Sons .Mulrs.  llilil'ons. 

S 1>.A-  Co IJel.  I>.  <i. 

S L \Vliol.  Clothinj:. 

S ]5ros -Mid'rs.  -Neckties,  etc. 

S li Art  (Jallery. 

S I I.iquor.s. 

S 1.  P Paj.er. 

S 1 Sliipping  and  Coiu'n. 

S J.  iV  Co Petroleum. 

S II.  &  (i.  i\,'  Co.  ..Mnfir.  Jewellers. 

S M.  ..Inip.  N\'atches  and  .lewelry. 

S tV  Co LuiuIm  r. 

S J.  P.  A-  Son Prnu-  Prokers. 

S 1 K iV  P Co. 

S .M IS.  S.  F Honey. 

S 11 SlatioiKT. 

S <  i.  i\:  Co Men's  Furn'jr. 

S F <iro.,  etc. 

S iK:  Co Mnfrs.  Imitation 

Ciiain])ai;-ne.s. 

S A.  A-  Son irillii'.rds. 

S T.  P.  &  Co Pert'uuieis. 


S T.  C.  A-  ('.. We.«tern  Coni'n. 

S F.  M Peal  Fstate,  etc. 

S II Clotlis. 

S ]j... loliher  Cloths. 

S 1 Peddlers'  Su]piilies. 

S F.  A;  Co 'r<ihaci'o. 

S A Li<inors. 

S Pro.«.  iV  C( Shijiiiini;-  and 

Com'n. 

S .1.  A F'ixeil  Amnninitioi). 

S I'c  N Jobbers  Millinery 

( ioods. 
S C Tobacco  Broker. 

S^ —  J.  »V  (  o (iell'l  Coin'll. 

S W.  iV  Co (ien'l  Com'n. 

S 1 C Hotel. 

S \-  .\ Hotel. 

S J Human  Hair. 

S 1.  II <iro. 

S S.  S.  .  .^Mnl'r.  Ink  and   Mncihii^e. 

S— —  S.  W Teas. 

S :\Iiifir.  Co Stencil  Plates. 

S J Pet.  I'aney  d'oods. 

S I' vV  S 1. Co. 

S P Co. 

S l>.  P.  iV  Co Pianos. 

S M.J.  A:  ('., Pr.Kl. 

S I, O Co. 

S }i\ Co \\'onien's  T'lider- 

^vear. 

S A ShippiiiL''  and  Com'n. 

S M.  W Prod.  Uroker. 

S iV  I>- Li(|Uors. 

S P.  H.  .V  Co Ci.L'ars. 

S iV  C .  ..I'ankers  and  Proliers. 

S H .Mnlr.  Trimmed  Hats. 

S 1 Hotel. 

S J Ship  Chandler. 

S-— —  F.  P Fninber. 

S—  J.  J lobb.'r  Jewelry. 

S A.  iV  Co Tobacco. 

S iV  Uro leweliy,  etc. 

S iV  S -Mnfrs.  Sns] lenders. 

S W.  i\:  C« Whol.  Clothini:. 

S W.  C Hops. 

S T.  iV  Co.  .  .  .S.  Am.  ShippiiiLT  and 

Com'n. 

S A-  V Whol.  Clothing. 

S >.*:  P .  .  ..lobljers  F'ancy  (iooiLs 

iuid  Hosiery. 

S 1 Pet.  Pools  and  Shoes. 

S P.  i^  Co lewelry. 

S S I5onednst. 

S A.  F ."Mnfr.  Ci^-iis. 

S J' V Co.  .  -Mnfrs.  Vices. 

S J.  &  Co Car  Ihiilders,  etc 

S ]■] Furs  and  Skins. 

S vV  I) Skin  Brokers. 

S—  J i'eddler  Cloth. 

S S Pawnbroker' 

S M.  &  S Bankers. 


I 


'IlfK   SYSTKM   EXI'OSEn. 


2V^ 


ii'vii  f'diirii. 

KHiiitc,  etc. 
Clollis. 

l)iT   ("lotllS. 

•i'  Sn]i|irK'.s. 

.  .'riibiu'co. 

. .  .1  j(iu(irs. 

lilipiiii;'  iiii'l 

Cdiirii. 

iniiniinlinii. 
M  MiliiiH'iy 
( Jiiods. 
cc'o  Uriikcr. 
cii'I  Ciiiii'ii. 
I'li'l  Cmu'ii. 

lldi.'l. 

Ildt.l. 

uiimn  lliiir. 

(  il'il. 

1  Miinlii-c. 

T.'iis. 

iicil  Phu.'s. 
nicy  (iouelr^. 
Co. 

. . .  .riiU'.os. 
rr.Kl. 

'iiV  T'lidi'V- 

ami  ('(iin'ii. 
■(nl.  ]lri:l;cr. 
. .  .Li<|ii(ii's. 

CiLriU's. 

11(1  lh-(ii;crs. 
iiincil  Hilts. 

..Hotel. 

[)  CliiUuHi'i'. 
laiiiilicf. 
I'l-  Jewelry. 

.  .'robac'co. 

welfv.  eti'. 
Siis),einlclH. 
".  Clotliiiii:. 

lloj.s. 

ippiii-riiuil 

Coiu'll. 

1.  ('lotirm,i>-. 
ilicy  (Joods 
111  llo.'^it'fy. 

luiil  Shoes. 

.  ..lewelry. 

.  Hoiicdust. 

fr.  t'i;:-ifs. 

llt'l'H.  \'i('es. 
lllderp,  (■!-■ 
and  Skins. 
in  Mi'okers. 
cr  Clotli. 
awnlirokei" 
.Bankers. 


S A.  k  Co...  .California  \Vini'.-<  mid 

Liii. 

S 1'.  1*1:  Co Tniitation  .Ic'Weli-y. 

S iN:  H ..Johbcis  White  (ioock 

S L.,.Ir Jol).  .lewelfv. 

S S.  S Builder. 

S W i'aiicrhiiti>.cinj,'.s. 

K A.  T.  A  Co I'aiiits,  Oll.s,  i.'tc. 

S :\I vS:  L Co. 

S iV  Co .Teweler.s. 

S V.  K.,  .Ir !{.  ]■].  l'.roker,  etc. 

S (i.  11.  &  Co ihiiid  Stanijis. 

S A Stock  linikei- 

S T WiiR'H  and  l,ii|. 

S W.  I). I'otleiy. 

S ]{.  A:  Co . . . M 11 1'rs.  Shirt  iiosoniH. 

S &  -M l!i;t.  Kancv  <  ioods. 

S ^:  \V— Mnhs.  15.  \-  S. 

S T.  T I'rod. 

S iV  X — — ..Mnfrii.  Hats  and  Cap.s. 

S (!.  \V...]i' Frei-lit  Broker. 

S M &  Co Jobbers  ( 'lot  lis. 

S C liake:. 

S &  r Mnfrs.  AVoolleiis. 

S h Mnf'r.  Shoes. 

S &  Co .Mnfrs.  Vinc^rar. 

S K  k  Co Ladies'  Collars,  etc. 

S iS:  C Ket.  Clothin.,^ 

S >V  ^V ..Jobbers  Fancy  (ioods. 

S T Millineiv. 

S ]■] Ci^rai'.s. 

S \':  k  S— — Ci^jfars,  etc. 

S H.  iV  ( 'o ColTee,  Spices,  etc. 

S 1.  W Pickles,  etc. 

S W.  T Wireworker. 

S II.  ]) Alachinery. 

S -M Co Machineiy. 

S B Stationer. 

S k  11  Bros. . .  .W'ool  Brokers. 

S Jv  \V lloiiso  FurnV. 

S K.  M C.ml. 

S .\ \"'iu'ers,  etc. 

S S Mnfr.  Ci.-ais. 

S S Mnfr.   N.'ckti.'s. 

S S.  iV  Co Imps.   NVatche.'-. 

S — —  iV  S~ Coni'n  Flour  ana 

(iraiii. 

S W.  II Coiii'n  Pro!. 

S h.  \'.  i"v:  Co Soa'i. 

S .Mrs.  M.  11 P.et.  1),  (i. 

S .M.   1) Prod. 

S 1 Carriae-n  U'warc. 

S 1).   II Shipstores. 

S 1.  P Coni'n  Prod. 

S— —  .1 Broker  Window  (ilass. 

S 1 Metal  Broker. 

S 1.  K Painter. 

S Bros . .  .Whol.  B  \-  S. 

S U vV  Co.(  'otton,  Sliippinj;  and 

Coiu'n. 
S U.  A liuikler. 


S .Mrs.  1? Mnfr.  Ladies'  Scarfs. 

S S.  M.  k  Son Builders,  e u  . 

S II Caijinetmkr. 

S I.  (i Printintr  Presstis,  ete'. 

S .1.  (i .Sinfr.  Clothii:!r. 

S -.1.    1) Ped.lleV. 

S— —  .M Lii|ii(C-s, 

S C rpli(d-terv. 

S MiH.  M.  L Ciirai's. 

S S.  iV  Co llafs. 

S 1' lo'iiacker. 

S J.  P.  iV  Son l)rutr  Urokers. 

S 1.  P '. Oils. 

S I).  W Hotel. 

S S.  A \i.  K.  Atren;. 

S—  11.  k  Co Ship  Brokers,  etc. 

S i*v  1) .Com'n  Bats  and  Twiwe. 

S-  —  \-  W Fert  i  1  i/,ers. 

S C.  H.  &  Co Stock  Broki  IS. 

S—  S.  &  Co Cloths. 

T \-  1! Ci-ar  Dealer-. 

T .1 .Mnlr.  'I'lierniometi'i's. 

T <i Water  Wheels. 

'r — ■ —  \'  S<in.. .  .Saleralus,  Spices,  et'\ 

T— C leu-eller. 

T iV  Co Cold  Brokers. 

'!" Bros.  &  Co Sliippini,''. 

T M.  F Bet.  Boot-s  and  Slioes. 

'I" iV   11 ( 'oiil'..e. 

'!' 1> Printer. 

'I' K.  W.,  Jr Mnfr.  Knllles. 

•I" II.  A lolilier  Ibwierv. 

T—  -  II.  11 CiillerV. 

'I' 1 llestauran't. 

T .1 <  'ontractor. 

T S.  W Ket.  .Men's  Fiirn'j;-. 

T T A— House. 

T 'r Printers'  Materials. 

T W.  U Saw  .Mill. 

T — -  A.  H.  P P »S;  M—  Co. 

T F.  B.  .V  Co Oil  Shippers,  etc. 

'r II.  k  •).  A  ..Shippinii' a'lid  ('oinu. 

T — —  1 \-  Co Pli(]toi:faphs. 

T k  ( 'o Havana  Lotlerv. 

T i:  D Paper  and  Paper 

Stock. 

'I" 1 Tobacco. 

T I-', Coat  111  kr. 

'1' K C.  .\ Li,i;liter.<. 

T 1.  II.  \  Co Cen'l  Coin'ii. 

T .\ Bet.  1).  (i. 

'1' .1 .Mnfr.  NMiiilow  Shinies. 

T 1,  i; I.'et.  Ilatsai\d  Cai)s. 

'I' Bros Lea'Jier,  etc. 

'I' W (iro. 

T Bros .lobliers  Whito  tJoods. 

T II Co Heaters. 

r N.  C Plmlo.  .Materials. 

'1' M Co.  . .  .Imitation  .lewelry. 

T W liestauran't. 

'l' (> Liiiuor.s. 


i  -m 


fir 


It:::, 


i 


'J  14 


T- 

T- 

T- 
T- 
T- 


TilK   ('(JMMin.'CIAI,   AGKNCIKH, 


'1'- 
'I'- 
T- 
T- 
'l'- 
T- 
T- 

T- 
'1'- 


J.  A...  .l)npli(  I,  I'niv.  iiii'l  I'.lii,     I 

li'iiin. 
■A.  .1 l<i(|.  mill   hiailiniidri. 

■  A.  A <  'iiin'ii  I'Muiir. 

■  I'.  .1 Slo.k  \U;.ki-r. 

•  W Kcl.  lidt.lM  iiikI  ^ilmc.s. 

().  J.  iV  «'-. <o)li'll  I'c.il. 

AS I'liiilci-H. 

V   l> lic'fliMirniil. 

Ii (  (illiiii  (iiHid.s. 

MlH.    J{ CorMI-lH. 

A.  I'l.  iV  (  11. .  .('omii  I'liiiiiji,  etc. 

\i.  iV  ( 'u IllipS.  I),    (i. 

•&■-  M lul.1,,-1:;  MilliiMTv. 

IL    W 'I'.iilnlV. 

»V.  Sun liiililii-r  mill  l,i-iilliri- 

<  i I II 111:'. 
<".    I", Sliirlv  Itrnkir. 

II.  'r.  .V  ci. CiiMJ. 

&  (  '(I \;.n|il;:  <  'iiiil|iii.iil  'mil 


<  'ii:il  in; 


v..  ,V  (■ Sl.ni 


\V.\  ( .......  I 

.1.  M,  .V  )■:.  A. 


111. ill'.'  Airi'iil; 
.....  .Milium.; 


'r —  .1.  i:.  .V  Co i;,i.  (i,i!H. 

T .1.  V.  A  <i. I'idil. 

T .1 I'liiiliiy  lll|ilirr. 

'1' N.  iV  Snii.  i'.iiiik.i  mill  Slitlii'iii  TV. 


'I'-       M 


(' 


M.'l. 


O.  .M I'lili 


.V  ( • 
Mm 


.  iV  (  I ( 'mil  II  Siili|>,  rlr. 

> ( 'lll■llli^t^^. 

\llilicilil 


.\.  \  (' 


T~-    .MiM.  M.  A. 


A.  \:.  .V  ('.  I'. 


.(•Ill 


<;.  II .ii.iiiiiT  111 


.11. III'!. 

I    .MilH. 

i.-di-rv. 


J. 


.1.  I).  .\  (' 

K.  M. 


.Iiwiliy  mill   .Miii'f* 

l''iiiiiY';. 

.  ..liililirIM    .leu  I'liv. 


( 


.lull 


K'l'S   (  ' 


\V,  S I'ulili.  r. 


II.  .V  S. 


'|i 


DC Mull-.  'I'l 


T- 

T l...'v   <  ii.Sli.ivv  (iiiiiil.s,  CiipM,  etc 


\V 


..\ilifr.   I'liLl.'il  (iiii.il,^ 


T —     A.  I, 


llilvlll"'  lioXcH 


'I' 


lil 


(J- 

\v. 

w. 
\v. 


S.  .V  .1 . 
-      iV  ( 

II.. .. 

..\\, 

alh.T  Si 
.  . Sltilim 
Sliii 

A      P 

II (  'lllu'll   ( 

I'lilltl'l'.-l. 
li|iH,  ell'. 
liT;^  ell'. 


I''.  A  . 

W.. 


filrliilliH. 
il|llillH. 
■tlltiolHT. 
..I.W.'llV. 


.1 


•I* 


I Iiililiir  Mllliiirrv. 


M. 


IrWfll'V 


T W.  U SiiM'kh 

'r J.  1''.,  Agent ('olli)Il  (iiHiilr 


T- 
T- 
T 

T 


—  Mth.  C.  M Liiiiihcr. 

—  liniH.  iV  /         ..liililii  I'M  l'"iv  (i'lls. 

—  M Tiiiloi. 

•  ' l,lllll|lH. 

--   .1.  iV  Son .Maliii;.;iiiiy,  clr. 

-   .1 I'llillllT. 

—  MiM.  A.  .1 Iti'l.  Mi'ii'.s  Fiinrir, 

I'l.  I{ Sliitiiiiicr. 

.1.  Iv  .V   Sun Wliul.  Diii^rH. 

—  It.  M.  A  (u luliliiMH  .li'wilrv. 

-  If IIii,.  I).  Ci. 

-—  .1.  I'".  iV  Sun I'linli'iri. 

—  iMiH.  .1.  S Kil.  .MiHiiii-ry. 

—  iV-  (i Slum  yiinl. 

—  fi  <'i> Siuik  linikiiv. 

iV  I.      -   l''riii;fcH,  <■!(•. 

I''.  W..    hV.'il. 

II,    W I'lillllT 

liri'.s liiiiikii.s. 

,1.  .\  Cii oil,  Suiqi,  clc. 


.1' 


.Naval  Sli 


T 

\ I    |iliiilnlrrv    <iuiMl,-. 

,1.  ,M    Ciiiii'ii  I'ri.il. 

II.  A I.'i-I.  IJuulM  mill   Sliiii'H. 

<   Oil. 


.1. 


,  \v 


lul      l,ll|ll(ll';l. 

.M.  <'.  .V  Cu Slaliuin  T.H. 

i\  (  u Ii'iiii  anil  Sli'fl. 

A   (  11 I'lillliTH. 


niji 


Jiiiii'/.i' 


I'uW 


iicr. 


W Arlilii'iiil  l'"li 


.Sn,--lif;i  anil 


lili 


M.  •' 


(  iiiii. 


-luviM  am 


I  'rinuari', 


I', lill|llUI',' 

Miil'r.  ami  .IuIpIht  'riiin'ic.- 


l.-i-l. 


-    Ii 


Mini  ( 'aprt. 
ul   WllltlH. 


H \v._ 


S— 


S^-- 


.V  (; 


o 
w 


—  K (• «' 


r —  K —  (i 
r — H —  I 
r  — s —  I' 


.M  —     Cu. 
•  ; —  Co. 

Cu. 


H 'I'--   Cu. 

r — -Co. 

K.  .tC.) I 

A..V  (  u 


iii|),-'.  IluHiiTy. 

.  .  I'lililislii'iri. 

\V.  i; Sliirk   liiuKir. 

T    c I!,  i;.  Hiuk.T. 

11.  iV  J.  A Tuiluiu 


I 


ill 


Till';  svs'i'KM   i:.Nr(»si;i). 


—  (■(, 


llciMITV. 

lilislii'iH. 
Iliokcr. 

.'railori). 


V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 

\'- 

V- 

v 

V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 

V 

V- 

V- 

V 

V- 

V 

\- 

V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 

\- 

V 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V- 

V. 

V- 

V- 

V- 


.  s k  Co Mill.Ts. 

a Clillld  l)c;i|c|-. 

Il'  M ('Mill.-  liriiUir. 

A  S.  M .Iiwi'lli  T,  iif. 

.  \i .V  w ..MiifiM,  SmI.Im'Is. 

I) ( '  ,\  .siii|)i)iiiir  Mini  ( 'iiin'fj. 

|{  ,t  l!r'> Slii|)  liiiikciM. 

II. 'I' ('"111. 

.  iV  T---    l!ci.    M.n'n   iMirii'K. 

|{  -  -  W  .  vi ...  Aniliciiil  l''l(p\vi'i-H. 

,1.    W I''iii  iiiliirc. 

I)  M.   M Il.,i.-I. 

I) iv  1> ...Miilr.H.  Scwiii- 

Mlll-llilin     'i'u|)M. 

.  (1 |5p,,:< Iliil.  I.i'iiilii  T.H. 

1I__ —  ,1.  iV  Siiii. . .  .  \V  ijlowwiii'i'. 
•  I II tliu. 

N it  <i .  I'lluMlii;  S|"iiij/i-H. 

.    \ ,V    (  'o (  'lllltVc. 

.<» ^,1.    II •'.,;,!. 

.  1» ,1,  .1 .  .  .  .l-uii]l)ii-  ;iihI  Siiw 

Mill. 

.  1> ,V  (  'o.Slii|i|iiii^'iiliil  <  'oiii'ii. 

11 ,1 Iiri|>.  AlcH,  fic. 

.  It ,1,  1'.,  .Jr.  .  .SIii|i|)iiiL'  iiiiii 

<  'ciin'ii. 

t^ \   (',, (  'JldClilillc. 

\|     I I'i'iil. 

T           A.  IV ,    .lr..Miiil.lc  Wniks. 
'1' ,M      —  Co l''oiiii(l(  r.t' 

l''ilcillJ^'H. 

.  V A U.  K.  HioLcr. 

.  \V II.  S   \  <'o.  .('olll'li  I'lod. 

\V A.iV  Soii,Slii|><'ii!Uiillir.-^. 

.  W.  !•; l'llotooTIl|iiirr. 

,  M ,V  IJi'oii liiipH.  <'i;,fiir.-s 

ILIld   'I  (illiU'CO. 

F Co. 


I>. 


.I.wrl, 


,).    A ^\  liiili  Ihhii-. 

('.    K T.ii. 

.V  I Cui.l. 

A.  II .  .I'l-uil  r.rokrr. 

,V,  (  'o liilllk<IH. 

'I',  II.  Son 'roliiicco. 

,1.    1> l''l<iU(|-.<. 

Sons I'liinily 'I'l:!.  l)iiilii;i. 

A.   fi    M |)li;r-llikl-l. 

k  H MijiioiM. 

I-' Iiii|).    II  iiiiiiiii    Hair. 

,  ('.  U.  .V  Co WiiiiliiT  Slii|i-. 

,  ( ■  I'l  ililrr. 

(J Li(|llol'H. 

I' CiKiir,-*. 

|{.  .V.  W I  Ji|iiois. 

.  II .MiuIpIi'. 

.  |{ C.  .M.  .  .  .IIiittcr.'i"l'riiii';^><. 

.  (! iV  Co I  lard  Willi'. 

.  S \V.  «S;  Hon.  .!Shi|il>in;C  and 

Com'ii. 


\' 1! lilt.  Mimi'm  I'lirn'tr. 

V——    ,1.    \ \dv;r.    An<.|ilH. 

V —  K  \J    — I'll  lid  I -I'm'  11 'ware. 

V .M (iro. 

\V  !•' Walih  .MaliiiiilH,  clc. 

W  \   C, llankciH. 

W- i;.  .1.  .V  Co film-  and  Sand- 

papiT. 

\\ \\ .Mm!  I'.  Sii.''|MMidcrH. 

\V -    !•'.  VV I»|.liial  lli.-<N. 

W  I' Hair. 

W  -  W  .  K.  .V  r,, lol,lii-r,H  l-'aiicy 

I  ioollM. 
W .',11        -     ...  .Coni'li    Coltiiii,  etc. 

W  'I'.  II Siork  lirok.T. 

\v        i;      -c      c, 

^v       ,1 I/iiiiiIkt. 

W  iV   I''  (  oni'n  (  aiidli'.s. 

V\'  -        .M.  [■', loiijjir  I'ani'v  (foodH. 

\V         -  .\ |{i  I.  I'iuhV  (iood.^. 

W    .M .Mulr.    Nirktii-.-^. 

\V  |-.  li I'ap.-r. 

\\  <i (iro. 

W  !■;.   SoiiH I'lilili.  lii-r.H. 

\V .V  W--     - l5ihld.-r.M. 

\V T.   M I'iipiT. 

W  I ).  S I  I  nil' n  I'iiiiry  <  iooiki. 

V\' .) llalliMs'  l'"iiis,  i-\<'.. 

\V 1'.    li.  .V  C, Sloi  k     lilok.TH. 

\V -.  i; Sio'k  Hrok.T. 

\V I-'.  \  Co.  .  .  .Siork    Hroki-rs,  ric. 

\V  Mrn.  .M.  11.  .  .  .Ki  I.   l'"i-.v  (i.iorl.s. 

W    -    -  W l,ii|iiorH. 

W s iV    I , I  »rii;.'.s. 

\V (i.  1).  iV  Soiirt Hioki  r.s   li,  U. 

Sii|i|di<'M. 

\V  .\    \V  -— (HMM-warc. 

\V  W.   II Iriiil. 

W  N (i|as',wai-c. 

\V  C.  i;.  .V  Co Oiks. 

\V  II  \  <  'o (ilanMciillcr.H. 

\V    - I.  Iv  \  Cm Slii|,   llrok.TH. 

\V     -         .V    W      -- loMiiTt  ClolllM. 

W  .M Ki'l.  .Millincrv, .•!(•. 

\V  HioM.iVCo ".Oil. 

\V |{ I) C„. 

\V  -       Dr.  .1.  M I'ai.iil,  M.iIm. 

W i*^  \V I'liW'r.t  and  Hook 

hi'llcrn. 

W  l> I'rov. 

W .M.  1! I!.  1(.  Sii|.|.lii;;. 

W T-        .M    Co. .MiiiiMs 

'I'ooIh,  cIi;. 

\N'  M Ulii.'Sinnc. 

NV A.  <; Diii^r  r.rok'T. 

W H....liil.  .Mrn'.s  I'liru'i.'- (ioods. 

\V w.  II,  .\  Co ..Coal. 

\V II.  .V  (Son I'lanoforliv). 

\V C.  C K.I.  .Mi-u'h   I'lirn'tr. 

\V Iv  .l.iVCo .Mnlrf.  Silk. 

W K  J) Iron  \V(jrk.H. 


•  i 


216 


THE   COMMERCIAL   AGENCIES. 


S|' 


I 

Ik    '  y 


l>l 


W J.  8 .Tinware. 

W .t  ( t WinoH,  etc. 

W a.B Excliiiuyo  Broker. 

W ,1,  A Liquors. 

W IMi'H.  M.  V IIoiiHO  Furii'^'. 

W II.  \V Jlnfr.  'I'riniinin<r.s. 

W F.  W Wool  Piillor. 

W 1' Glass  Sluuh'.s. 

W I, I.V  Co UealcrH  iind 

Smelters  Lead. 

W L Co. 

W &  MfN Tohacco. 

W Bros BuilderH. 

W iV-  C Hotel. 

W P I'apiT  SUjck  iind  iSInfr. 

(Jlothing. 

W ][ (iliio,  etc. 

W L CigarH,  etc. 

W MrH.  1' China. 

W A:  K Canned  (ioods. 

W ][.  &  Son ]{et.  H.  and  S. 

W II ]\Infr.  llydronietera. 

AV II Mnl'r.  Straw  (ioods. 

W &  C Jet  ( loods. 

^V W Mntr.  Dress  Trini'<rH. 

W it  De  { 1 (jJ  uns  and 

I'i.stols. 

W W &  Co Hide  Brokers. 

W K iN:  Co. . .  .Iniiis.  ]ji(inors. 

\V J.  <J.  &  Co.: Publishers. 

\V ).  C.  &  Co DrufTH,  etc. 

W J TiOan  ISrokcr. 

W &  Bro Cotton  Waste. 

W B . .  .Extension  Tables. 

W^ ( i.  J Bet.  Drugs. 

W (V  Co.  .  .  .Com'n  Domestic  D.  (i. 

W H Gro. 

W" J Furs,  etc. 

W \{ Mnfr.  BnfUes. 

W Fi.  T ll'ware  and  House 

Furn'tr. 

W^ &  S—  M Co. . . .  .Picture 

Frames. 
\y P N 31 &  V — 

Co. 

W C &  Co Sliipping  and 

Com'n. 

W M Coal. 

\V iM Leather. 

W J Restaurant  and  Liij. 

^V' N Blinds  and  Doora. 

W F.  G Mnfr.  Presses. 

W n Wines. 

W W.  A (ien'l  Com'n. 

W Bros Inqis.  Fancy  Goods. 

AV* A.,  .Ir Com'n  Flowers. 

W A.  D Bookseller. 

W H.  < ; Steamboats. 

W &  I) Com'n  Prod. 

W C.  II.  &  Co House  Furn'g 

Good.s. 


W- 

^^- 
w- 

W'- 

\\^- 

w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 

W- 
AV- 

w- 
w- 
\y- 
w- 

AV- 
A\'- 
W- 
W- 
\V- 

W- 
W- 

w- 

W- 

^^- 
^v- 

\y- 

^v- 
w- 
^^- 


w- 
w- 
^\- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
^^^- 

w- 

w- 

W- 

w- 
w- 

w- 
w- 
\^'- 
^v- 


—  W.  L.,  .Ir Whol.B.  and  lI. 

—  M Co Silversmiths. 

—  W.  H.  &  Co.  .Mnfg.  Jeweller.s. 
-S.  V Tens. 

—  \V.  M Stock  and  Bond 

Broker. 

—  I*!:  W Stock  Brokers. 

—  L A {'u. 

—  S li A Co. 

-&H—  II Co. 

—  M Co Saddletrees. 

—  .1 Drugs. 

—  \{.,  .Jr.... Mnfr.   Ladies' Clotli- 

ing. 

—  Mrs,  R Fancy  Goods. 

—  &  Van  L i'aints,  <'tc. 

—  iV  H Com'n  Lime,  etc. 

—  H.  R Com'n  and  Broker. 

-.1.  11.  Co Bedding. 

—  M.  A.,  Son  iC  Co Lumber. 

—  T.,  Jr.,  iV  Co Mnfrs.  Solder. 

—  II Sliippinf^  Rroker. 

—  D.  tV  Co Mnfrs.  Hatters' 

Goods. 

—  W.  A. . .    ...  .Looking-G lasses. 

—  J.  S.  M Co J.,ooking- 

<i  lasses. 
-  TI.  C l{et.  Men's  Furn'g. 

—  H.  S House  Furn'g. 

-.J.  H Cattle. 

—  A.  P.  &  Co Letter  Holder.s. 

—  (i.  X.  &  N.  A Stoneyard. 

—  H.  C.  &  Co Slock  and  Bond 

Ih'okers. 
-.1.  F.  &Co Jewelry. 

—  .1.  H.  iV  Sons Cattle  Brokers. 

—  .1.  C.  &  Co Stock  Brokers. 

-P.  H    &  W Fringes. 

—  S &  Co. Mnfrs..  and  .Jobbers 

Linen  and  Lace  Goods. 

—  W &  C Hardware. 

—  &  (i .  .Shipi)iiig  and  Com'u. 

—  J Saslies. 

—  (i &.  Co. .  .  .Sugar  Refiners. 

—  J Aa-ent  Flour  and  (Jrain. 

-A ; Builder. 

—  (t Steam  and  Gas  Fitter. 

- 1 Co. 

—  .1.  .J.. Cement  and  Slate  Broker. 

—  T Broker  Flour  and  <irain. 

—  W Ijiipiors. 

—  ^^^  n crockery. 

-IL  S.  &Bro Bankers. 

—  ,J.  II.  &  Co Auctioni'crs. 

—  &  G .Imiis.  Shawls,  White 

(.ioods,  I'tc. 

—  &  L .  .Wines  and  Billiards. 

—  .J Ret.  Clothing. 

-T.  D Hotel. 

—  &  Co Patent  Meds. 

—  II Co. 


w 


THE   SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


21' 


W- 

w- 

w- 
\y- 
\v- 
w- 
w- 
w- 

AV- 
W- 

^v- 

w- 
^v- 
\v- 
\v- 
w- 
\v- 
w- 
w- 
^^- 
w- 
w- 

AV- 

\v- 

M- 
W- 

w- 

W- 
W- 
W- 
AV- 
W- 
AV- 

w- 

AV- 
W- 
W- 
W- 


-  &  E Cliemicals,  etc. 

-  &  W (."oiii'n  Wool, 

IJlanki.'ts,  ftc. 
Sliippers'  A/^'cut. 

-  ifc  J^ Fruit  Broker.s. 

-  C Fancy  (iooilr). 

-C.  A Rot.  Shoes. 

-  &  McA tSigii  Painters. 

-&  U Wool. 

-A Neckties. 

-  C Cari'iageinaker. 

-C ..Colons. 

-  &  M Mnfg.  .lewolliTH. 

-J Mnfr.  rndcrwcar. 

-  &  (i ('i)ttoii  Hrokcrs. 

-  B Jobber  Millinery. 

-C llut.s,  etc. 

-J Jobber  Hosiery,  etc. 

-  L lift.  C'lo"tliin<?. 

-  M Stoni<;p. 

-  W lobber  D.'O. 

-  &  Bro. .  .Diamond  Brokers,  etc. 

-  S ^Vllol.   ]>i(inors. 

-  C.  H liruHlies  and  ]?riHt'es. 

-  (f.  ]{ Irou  BrokcT. 

-Mrs.  .J.  H Coal. 

-1' Oyster  Saloon. 

-  W.  A Oils. 

-  Bros.  Co Carrin,f,as. 

-  C &  Co 'Government 

Sujiplies. 
-J Qro.  and  Liq. 

-  Mrs.  S.  A Stationery. 

-  &  K .  ..'rol)ncco  and  Ci<rars. 

-  W.  .J Southern  Com'n. 

-  S P M Co. 

-  D.  A Bet.  Stationer. 

-  S.  it  Co Tailors'  Trim'f.'Si. 

-iVCo Feather.s. 

-  i\:  Co Artificial  Stone. 

-  &  N Stock  Brokers. 

-  W.  E Sewing  Muchiacs 


W IT.  P Stock  Broker. 

W \V.  J Bet.  Boots  and  Slioes. 

W J.  (i.  tV  Co Com'n  Prod. 

W W.  P.  k  Co Cotton  Brokers. 

W cS:  M . . . .  Joi)l)ers  Millinery. 

W iS:  S Cien'l  Com'n,  etc. 

W F.  &  Co Hotel. 

W A Paner  Box  Mkr. 

W J Ciro. 

W A.  it  Co.  .Imjjs,  Insect  Powder. 

W J.  E Mdse.  Broker. 

W it  Co JIdse.  Brokers. 

Y W.  A Mnfr.  Trimininf^s. 

Y M Clothing'. 

Y T Clothini;. 

Y 1.  11.  it  Co Com'n  Prod. 

Y ]■;.  T Tea  Broker. 

Y' U .  ( ; . . . .  Agt.  U S E 

Co. 

Y T.  \ T'ianos. 

Y L Jobb(!r  Hats,  Caps,  and 

Furs. 

Y M.  it  Co Perfunierv,  etc. 

Y' T.  S.  it  C( Whol.  Clothing. 

Y it  McC Com'n  Cotton. 

Y it  Co Com'n  Cuban  Sugar. 

Y H.  A. . .  .Stock  and  Gold  Broker. 

Z A Bet.  Boots  and  Shoes 

Z B Uet.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

Z (I Bet.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

Z J Bet.  Fancy  (foods. 

Z I) Mnfr.  Hair  (ioods. 

Z S.  &  F .  . .  .Jobbers  Millinery. 

Z M.  A Furniture. 

Z J.  it  Co Furniture. 

Z ]) Optician,  etc. 

Z 15.  H Cabinetn\kr. 

Z B.  B i{et.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

Z W Wood  Turner. 

Z F.  it  F .  .Imps.  ^Musical  Insts 

Z P.  &  Co Window  (ilas.si 

Z II Leaf  Tobacco. 


I     111 


[to  Et;  CONTINTES.] 


■   >1  t  ■  -I 


1 1 


!« 


:i.s 


THE   COMMEUCIAL   AGENCIES. 


It 

i 


Hi 


r-r; 


r>EOOTvLYX    K  Y. 


iij  i 

l»'i 


m 


A !Mrn.  H Tolmrco  and  Cianvs. 

A_ — .  J.  &  1{ ,S])riiisr  JliittrcsscH. 

A IM Fancy  (ioixls. 

A I.  \V ^Sfacliinif^t. 

A (' l/K|U(irH. 

A ]) l,i(|ii<iip. 

A .1 Mcn'H  Kiirn>. 

Aniericnn  V. &  15 U— — •  Co. 

A T.  W <'ro. 

A— —  1? Tailor  and  ('lotliin,ir. 

A &  (•( 1).  (J. 

A- J Hakcr, 

A— —  .f.  ]| ('o|i|iiTsiiiilli. 

]\ AV.  AV Aiiclionci'i-. 

1! J:.  H CiiriK'ta. 

n ,1 ]''aiicy  (ioods. 

I! 15ro8 C'ai'ix'ts. 

I? S !>.<;. 

M_ 1.  .S: ,) I'aiiiti-rs. 

U ]'.  J Mcn'H  Fiirn'jr. 

H ], LaiT'T  Beer. 

15 W Dnitrs. 

I! (J... rainier. 

|j_ W.  J icwtlli  T. 

]]— —  &  ]\I r.iliiavuH  and  l/u|. 

I! J5 Clotliinii'. 

H S.,.li' Crockery. 

15 MrH.  .1.  II SIio.fi. 

15 K Baker. 

I] A 1).  U.,etc. 

I) \-  N (iro. 

15 ('.  &  Co Awninj^s. 

15 S.  A Huts  and  Caj'f^- 

IJ iV  C' I'lour  ISIills. 

n 11.  A Cro. 

15 MrH.  \V.  a iMincy  (ioodn. 

15 Mrrt.  A Millinery,  etc. 

15 ;Mrs.  ]{. . .  .Wonien'.s  Cnderwcar. 

15 MrH.  ]S[. .  .  .Hats,  Cajts,  and  Kiirn. 

H C.  11 Miifr.  Straw  (Joodn. 

15 T.  ,1 Boots  and  Slioen. 

15 S.  C.  &  Co ,Mi\fr,s.  Dress 

1'riniminffH. 

15 &  I; Paper  Stock. 

15 &  D lirass  FiiiiHliera. 


15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 

c- 

C- 

c- 
c- 
c- 

C- 

c- 
c- 


-  Mrs.  P fJro. 

-  iV  11- ClirfunoH. 

-  M ^\  nironinkr. 

-  .1 15re\ver. 

-  iV  Co ( 'oopers. 

-  k  S ^Infrs.  ( 'arriajjes. 

-  jV[ Si'ra])  Iron. 

-  1*.  IF l,i<pior.s. 

-  it  S l,i(]uors. 

-  15 l.i((nors. 

-D Coal. 

-  H l,i(]nors. 

-.1.  N Cliarcoal. 

-  15.  iV  Son Tailors. 

-T.  P i5ootHand  Slioes. 

-  .1 Iron  liailinps. 

-A.  A 15re\ver. 

•■  1) Soaj) 

-  P TinsTiiitli. 

-J.  &  W Kuilders. 

-  W.  (J.  &('o Viirietv  Store. 

-  A.  C.  &  Co.Plimihers'  :\raferials. 

-T.  II 15iiilder. 

-1) (iro. 

-T.  11 Miiilder. 

-J.  W Wood. 

-  W.  11 Builder. 

-11.  A l)ruj!;s. 

-  T I'"iirnittire. 

-.1.  S K'eal  Kstute. 

-T.  &  Co Marble,  etc. 

-  P Steam  Ensiine.s. 

-  &  15 Boots  and  Shoes. 

-&Co Ilalr,  etc. 

-  .1.  I).  tV  Sou Jewelh'rs. 

•  I ClotliinfT. 

&  Co Toys. 

■  U Hotel. 

•  P.  &  Son Marble. 

•  (' l,i(iuors. 

•  T.  11 Artists'  IMaterials,  etc. 

•  Mrs.  W Fancy  (ioods. 

(' Boilernikr. 

E.  A Coal. 

K.  S Bouts  and  Shoes. 


Ill 


TIIK   SYSTEM    i;Xl'OSKI> 


219 


(• K.  K.  .  ..Mnfr.  Oil-Can  SlopiMTa. 

(' J.  E I'rcssrri,  etc;. 

«• W.  II TninkH. 

(• \V.  1' U.  !•:.  A^a•nt. 

I ' \V.  A Fancy  (Jood.s. 

(' '!'.  'a Sliipbuildisr. 

( ' .1.  II Foundry. 

(' • .( Fancy  (Joodrt. 

«' — —  (',  11 Ilousi!  Fiirn'j,^  (ioods. 

(' F Teas,  (.'ulTiM'.-^,  t'U-. 

(' T.  F.  .\:('.. F'.'v  (J. 

I) K I'riiilci-. 

1) \V.  II Sliirtnikr. 

1) II ('r')ckci'y,  ('t(!. 

1) <i tailor. 

J) 'r.  W Auctii)niM!r. 

I) 1.  A lifctilicr. 

I) \V.  \V Hals  anil  CapH. 

1) J &  Co Iron  Founders. 

]) •!'.  S Builder. 

1) l> (iro. 

I) S- J;.  F H.ioksand  Stal'y. 

]) I',  15 Si'wini;  Machines. 

I) .  !•;   Sodii  Water. 

I) C (iro. 

I) A.  \V I'lCHtaurant. 

1) I' Wajifon.s. 

1) .1 Ihitrt  and  Cai).s. 

i> 'I'.  (>.  M HniKlin-. 

1) .  W I'.iiiider. 

I) \V.  F Paints  and  Il'ware. 

I) |) Stai'r  and  Printer. 

I) ^.I,  C Tailor. 

I) iV  Co Soaim. 

I) 1 Stairl)niider. 

1) W.  1', Mnfr.  Hats. 

1) 1) I-iqUorri. 

1) I, Painter. 

I)- I.e.  &Co 1).  U. 

1) 1.  W <iro. 

1) Mrs.  K 1).  O. 

1) A Cloak.s,  etc. 

D C CarriajTi.nikr. 

I) .Mrs.  A.  A Dress  'I'riinV-'. 

1) C,  II Men's  Furn'g. 

F, iS;  McK Stoves. 

F J.  P lIooi)skirts  and  F.  (i. 

!■' .1 Hoots  and  Shoes. 

V 1.  iV-  Co <Jro. 

F A.  S lIouHi!  F^irn'tf  (Joods. 

V X Wines  and  l,i(|. 

F I{ <ir(). 

F Bros liiriuors. 

V 1.  F.  &  Co Tol)aeco. 

V li Men's  Fnrn'<r. 

I'' ,T.  W Coop(!r. 

F M.  B Drni^'.s. 

F C liOathiT  and  FindinjfS. 

F C.  K Beddin<r. 

F H Stora-?.!. 

F Mr.s.  S U.  U. 


F W.  T, Cpliolsteivr. 

F .1,  I" Piaiioinkr. 

V 1.  S Hals  anil  Cap.s. 

F 1.  .M Hotel. 

V S.  W Hoots  and  Slmes, 

F H iir.'wer. 

0 .1 Fancy  (ioods. 

(i—  I! .'Builder. 

(i— — ■  .M.  I".  iV  F.  .1 ...  Woollen  (ioods. 

(i i! Brewer. 

(i 'r Soap. 

(i •  ( > Iii(]Uors. 

(i P Licpiors. 

U M (Iro. 

(! it  S Crockerv. 

(j 1 Fancy  and   1).  (i. 

U iK;  Co Pi.iiiii,--, 

G B.  F Wasliljoards. 

(J P ■  V, Cu. 

(i Mrs.  P I'aiicy  (ioods. 

(i C.  II l'"aiicv  ( ioods. 

{J V.C .'  Tail(n'. 

H II Fancv  and   1).  (i. 

II I  >.  I' ( 'arpets. 

11 'i'.  A BuiUler. 

H- H Hardware. 

II Bros Brassworkers. 

II J.   M Books,  etc. 

11 Mrs.  It F'ancy  (ioods  ami 

Millinery. 

II D Clolliini,-. 

II II.  A (eweller. 

II 1 Saloon. 

H S I).(i. 

II II I).  (J. 

II— .Mrs.  (i.  I''.... Bet.  Fancv  (ioiids. 

II 1 '.Tailor. 

II \V.  .1 Mnfr.  Skirls. 

II (i.  A Painter. 

11- (i.  II.  ...Mnlr.  Children's  Shoes. 

II Mrs.  C Teas. 

II iV  15 Boofer.s. 

H- — P I-iqunr.s. 

II 1 Tailor. 

II .Mrs.  i:.  A Hairdresser. 

II II Turner. 

II II.  P (iro. 

II L Tailin-. 

II 1.  .V  Co (iro. 

II S (iro. 

II- •  W.  i;.  ^  Co Foundry. 

II H. 

II iV  M ."Men's  I'-urn'j.'. 

II P.   \-   Co I).(i. 

II U.  B.  vVCo Mntr.s. 

II T.  M rpholstery. 

II J St^win;,^  Machines. 

11- — —  J Liipiorp. 

II J.  C.  iS: Co Stoves. 

II C.  G Dressndir. 

II T Hats  uud  Cups. 


\  '^m 


5  ill 

ill 


m 


I  ■•at 


m 


if 

I 

■J 


ill-'' 

%i 

r.j#T  in 


m 

lift 


JnB 

r^ 

i  un 

ril 

'  li 

|l 

220 


THE   COMMEUCIAL   AGKNCIES. 


-TT Mnfr.  Sim,..'!. 

-\-  V TiiiloiH. 

(' lircwir. 

E Uro. 

]5i-()s Miirbli^  Work.s. 

(' Ciiriiuntcr  1111(1  Hiiildcr. 

]  i.  v*c  M Li vory. 

-  H Cluinist. 

-('.  M U.ioks. 

-  W.  K Mnrl.lo. 

-  (i.  II Fiincy  <i()i)(ls. 

-  S.,  .Iv.,  &  Son Oil  WoikH, 

-A.  F Guilder. 

-  W.  W Ihits  i\n(H'iii).s. 

-  T Li(]U()r.H, 

-  II.  (' Linuor.s. 

-]I.  A (iio. 

-(' Fancy  1).  G. 

-  jr.  J liootS  lUul  SllDcS. 

-  Mrs.  A.  E Stoncyiird. 

-  iV  M Lii|ii<)i'S. 

-  li.  . Stoncyniil. 

-  l?i'i)S (Jro. 

-  'P Colli  and  W.Kid. 

-  Ii Bdotrt  and  Slioc'^. 

-F (<m. 

-n lirowcr. 

-E.  S Tailor. 

-U.  1) Jowcllcr. 

-  J.  S.  &  (.'<> Fancv  (Joods. 

-&  11 Builders. 

-A Iii(iiiorH. 

-  M riiiinber, 

-J.  J Auction. 

-  (1 ("oal. 

-E Builder. 

-  P Drnirs. 

-]M.  .M Millinerv. 

-N Tailor. 

-  ISIisscri Fancy  (Joodn. 

-  A 1).  <J. 

-  W.  M Carpets. 

-P.  W Builder. 

-  F II.  A Men's  Fiirn'j,'. 

-  Bros (ii'o. 

-J Mnt'r.  Chemicals. 

-J Mason. 

-  P Fancv  (foods. 

-H.  S 'Builder. 

-A Sasliinkr. 

-  Tj Fancy  (Joods. 

-  B.  &  Co 11.  E.  Brokers,  etc. 

-i*L'  Co. .  .Miit'rs.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

-  B Li(|uors. 

-  A C'otiiinji:. 

-&  S Coal. 

-H I).  ({. 

-B Millinery. 

-  S Picture  Frames. 

-  S Boots  and  Shoes. 

-I Butcher. 


Ii Bros Fanrv  Ooods. 

L 1 .'Huildor. 

L S Slat  Mattinjr. 

h \V.  I{ Li(|uors. 

L J.  iV  Co I),  (t. 

Ii iV  P Pliiiidier.-t. 

L I.  (> Hotel. 

L (J.  U Brewer. 

I II (Jro. 

L L (Jro. 

Ii I M Co. 

Ii P.  &  Co Painters. 

L T.  C.  i\:  J.  t; Saloon. 

Ii Ii Clothing;. 

Ii M Clothin).f. 

Ii JI Li(juor8. 

Ii S.  B.  &  Co I>.  G. 

McB 1.  II Painter. 

McC Mrs.  P (Jlass,  eti-. 

McC M.  C Hestanrant. 

Mcl> M Litiuor.s. 

MuE iS:  ('o Boots  aiul  Shoes. 

McF J.  Jr Boilermkr. 

McF T IIoo].skirts. 

Mi( ; A PliimlKT. 

.Mc( J S Fancv  (Joods. 

Mc(J W.  A Ship  ("iiandler. 

Met i JI.  J leweller. 

M,.(| J Builder. 

Mc(  J J ClothinLT. 

McK T.  II Hotel. 

McK F.  &  W Iii(iuors. 

Mclv V Iii(|uors. 

Mcli J.  S Build.M-. 

.McM I'.  iV  Son Furniture. 

McM A I).  (J. 

.McM Mrs.  S 1).  (J. 

M Mrs,  I'' Boots  and  Shoes. 

M Mrs.  .1 1.i(|uors. 

M J,  T Tailor. 

M «V  Bro (Jro. 

M- E.  II Plumher. 

M <J.  Ii Stairlmilder. 

M Mrs.  IJ Hoops. 

M .1.  B Li(iuors. 

M iV  S Furniture. 

M J.  B «? Trusses. 

:M ]{.  T Crockery. 

M 1.  F Fishing'  Tackle. 

M B ':. Clocks. 

M •! Fancv  (Joods. 

M P :. Tailor. 

M ]{ Tassels. 

M V Sow  in  (I'M. 

M (J.  &  E.  J Drui^s  and  Liij. 

M S.  A \..  .Paints. 

M L ■?. .  .rpholsferer. 

M Mrs.  E Fancy  (Joods. 

M S Fancv  (roods. 

M iS:  Co Mnfrs.  Oils. 

M A Builder. 


TIIK   SYSTEM   KXl'OSKD. 


221 


."\r Mrr4. 1' Funcy  (JdoiIh. 

M iV  ('(I Innv  I'liiiiuli'iH. 

M A ILinlwiin'. 

M .1 I/KlUlll'ri. 

.M (• Miilr.  Tools. 

M .1 1,i(iiioi's. 

M T.  .1.  \  Co iMiiuulrv. 

-M I) H.'(I(liii>. 

M S Tciis  iiiiil  Si)iccs. 

^[ M Faiicv  (iooiln. 

M U iS:  Co Miifr.s.  Hnii.l.-. 

M !1 Faiwy  (ioods. 

M li.  M Fiiiu'V  (ioods. 

M 'I' "l/Kiuoi-.s. 

M C liiiililor. 

JI W I,ii|Uors. 

M &  li Cotton  Dealers. 

M &  It l/K|Uors. 

.M T.  II Fhmt.T. 

N U I'liiitcr. 

N A.  A 1/kiu()I'.s. 

N A.   I) Liijuoi's. 

X F (in). 

X iV  S .Miifis.  Shoes. 

X \V I''aiu'v  iinil  1).  (J. 

X X.  T ■.  .  .  Fainter. 

X 1 W . 

X .1.  1) Drii.irs. 

X \-  F— — .Maeliinirit.s. 

X F.  T Ihitter. 

O'l) F (iro.  and  !,i(i. 

O'X J.  11 Wireworker. 

O 1.  W IIooiiskirtH. 

O F.  \V Hat.'*,  etc. 

O II.  n I).  <f. 

() It Builder. 

<» 1{.  IS Uaker. 

F iV  S .Men's  Fiini'jj. 

V 'I' i;oa:^tin,u-  Mills. 

F C Storao-e. 

F M.  C  Builder. 

P _  s F. 

F \V.  S Fhotoi^M-ajilier. 

F A Hardware. 

F .1.  I).  &  Son.  . . .  I'loiir  and  tiniin. 

F C 'i'ailor. 

F A;   Son IManos. 

F II Uoitd. 

F W Ales,   etc. 

F L Fainter. 

F ,1 Clothing. 

F \-  1!— Carriaixenikrs. 

F 1   r..Te:us. 

F F Shoes. 

F F.  'i' Fancv  and  1>.  (i. 

F 1.  U Mnfr.  Hats. 

F 1) Window  Shades. 

F Mrs.  T.  11 Fancv  (ioods. 

F .S:  11 Mnlrs.  Soai>. 

i: W Carriay-e.s. 

U &  Co Fruits. 


n- 
II- 

11- 
n- 
u- 

u- 

1!- 
1{- 
U- 
1!- 
K- 
J{- 
R- 
II- 
II- 
H- 
U- 
H- 
H- 
K- 
U- 
li- 
K- 
K- 
It- 
H- 
S- 
S— 
S- 


s — 
s — 
s — 
s — 
s — 
s — 
s — 


s — 


-  C Cahinetnikr. 

-  H.  1''.  iV  C l'a[perh;ul•J:in^•.^ 

and  Faints. 

-  Mr.'J.  I.  n liools  and  ShoeB. 

-  A.  F Carpenter,  etc. 

-M D.ti. 

-.1 'i'ailor. 

-  Mrs.  S.  1>.  . .  .Slurts  and  Corsets. 

-  C.  I) Koolintr  Materials. 

-  ih'os itestaiirant. 

-  C,  W Cigars,  etc. 

-  F 15aker. 

-It Ciipiiersmith. 

-T Ihiilder. 

-\V Ihiilder. 

-  .1.  I'' Fancy  Toilet  Articles. 

-J.Ji Fainter. 

-.1.    S leweller. 

-  W.  S liuilder. 

-T.  W liuilder. 

-  .1 Li(|uors. 

-  il Fancy  (ioods. 

-  M Hoots  and  Shoes. 

-  F Hats,  (/ajis  and  Furs. 

-  -' ( i  ro. 

-  .(.  iV  Co Furniture. 

-  .1.  II Men'd  l-'urii'j^  (i. 

-  A.  It Hilliards. 

- 1^:  Co Fuor  Knohs. 

•  .1 lirewer, 

-  L I.V  .M Furniture. 

-  i:.  A Drugs. 

■  11 Clothii'ig. 

■  F Clothing. 

■J Mnfr.    Brooms. 

■  .1 .Mouldings. 

-  C Faperhangings. 

■J t'arriayes  and  1/ivery 

Sta!)le. 

■  t  Co Brewer.s. 

■  B Boots  and  Shoes. 

•  S Boots  anil  Shoes. 

■  J.  F Brewer. 

■  H Contractor. 

■  1.  S Li(i.  and  Billiards. 

■  M Clothini:-. 

■J.   H Buihh'r. 

■]•: Tailor. 

■  J ('uth'ry. 

■  .1.  1' Boxniaker. 

<  t Fainter. 

■  15 Builder. 

■C.  B liuiMer. 

•  Mrs.  M.  A lloopskirts,  etc. 

■  H.  (i .Millwri<.'ht. 

B Boots  and  Slious. 

•  Bros. . .  .Itectiliersnnil  Distillers. 

F Boots  and  Shoes. 

.1.  F Dry  Dock  Builder. 

A Sashe.s. 

E,  E (Jro. 


M 


it  i 


■  1 

m 

F 

I 

1  ''f' 

t ' 

■    • 

•■■'I 


\l 


222 


Tlir:   COMMERCIAL   AGENCIKS. 


s- 

H- 
S- 
S- 
H- 
H- 
S- 
S- 

s- 
s- 
s- 
s- 

K- 

S- 
S- 

y- 

H- 
K- 

s- 
s- 
s- 
s- 

H- 
H- 
K- 
S- 
T- 
T- 
'i'- 
'V- 
T- 
'J- 
T- 
T- 
T- 
T- 

'r- 

T- 
T- 
'['- 
T- 
T- 
T- 
U- 
U- 
U- 
U- 
V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 


-F.]? D.ff. 

■0.  II T<•a^^. 

li.  11 nriiiTH. 

■  W Siiw  Will. 

■  II.  S.  iV^  i;.  11 'rriiimiinifs. 

•  Si  A I'liilirflliiiukrH. 

■J l).(i. 

1; (fro. 

-.1 ,l'limiii;,'Mill. 

■  H S 1) Cii. 

.  15 s !•: W 

.1 (Jio. 

■1'' Piiititcr. 

•  Hr<iH 'I'iuIdi'h'  Triiir^rH  iiiid 

SllOCH. 

•  UroH TUiildcrH. 

T SliipbuiiiliM'. 

11.  W.  ..V II T (".). 

L.I) Tailor. 

•  \ 1).  (1. 

J.  15 1),  0.  Aiiclioiicfr. 

1 Ciotirmj,'. 

&  Co (Jio, 

.1 Li([iiorH. 

11 Jcnvcllor. 

Mis.  I> lloufio  l-'iirirfT. 

.1      LiipiorH. 

T.  \V Biiiid.T. 

-  K.  it  Co 1).  (i. 

■M Painter. 

■J.  iV  Hro Funiitiin;. 

■  J Boots  and  Shoes. 

i'.Il Huts. 

V.V Pianos. 

■K.J llatH. 

•  P.  J Wrouyht-Iron. 

Mi'.s.  A.  M Stovca. 

J Li(|iioi'.s. 

A.  M Clothinij;. 

•  jVlr.s.  M Fancy  (Jooils. 

■  W.  A Aui'tioiU'cr. 

J Foundry. 

■  Miss  M. .  .Children's  Carriaj^cs. 

■  F.  () Rostaurant. 

S.  II Dentist. 

•  J.  (i I>ni<rs. 

■  J.  S Boilers. 

•  S ]\l Co PlllllJlS. 

■  S S B- — Co. 

■S Hotel. 

■  N J.  B. ..  .Boots  and  Shoes. 

■  S J.  B Litiuors. 

■  W— —  H.  &  Co. Carpenters  and 

Builder.s. 
V T.  S Hotel 


V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 
V- 

^v- 
\v- 
w- 
w- 
\v- 
\v- 
w- 
w- 
\\- 

\V- 

w- 

W- 

\y- 

w- 
w- 
^v- 
\v- 
w- 
\v- 
w- 
\v- 

W- 

\\- 

W- 
\V- 
AV- 
W- 
W- 
W- 

\\- 

W- 
W- 

\\- 

W- 
\N'- 
AV- 
W- 
\V- 
W- 
\V- 
\V~ 
W- 
\V- 
Y— 
Y— 
Z— 


-.I.,.Ir (!ro. 

—  Bros (Jio. 

—  P Boot  and  Shoes. 

—  n B Confer. 

-II Confer. 

—  Si  C Piiiiiteis. 

—  U.  A:  Co Fanrv  (Joods. 

—  C.  B.  M .Maltster. 

—  •! Pidnter. 

—  &,  M Carrin^'es. 

—  II Sashes  and  Blinds. 

—  il.  &  Co Mnfrs.  (J lass. 

—  T Coarlinialier. 

—  T &  Co Aurtioneers. 

—  A.  K Oro. 

—  A Tinsmith. 

—  Mrs.  F.  F l''aiiry  (foods. 

—  W.  II. .  .  .Hardware  and  House 

Fiirn'f.;-. 

—  &  P Lumber. 

—  C Tailor. 

—  .1.  F Phiniiier. 

—  .1 Boots  and  Shoe  .s. 

—  II Lii|iiors. 

—  E Flour  and  I'eed. 

—  A Clothiiijr. 

—  (J 1).  (i. 

—  II Tinware. 

—  M.  L Fancy  (foods. 

— .1   Brewer. 

—  L.  it  Co Furniture. 

—  Mrs.  M Ilooiiskirts. 

—  .1.  \V.  &Soii I),  (f. 

—  J Crockery. 

—  C.  1'' Fancy  (foods. 

-M \-  1 Co. 

—  W Books,  Toy.'.,  etc. 

—  &  N Marhiniftts. 

—  \V.  &  Co.. Mnfrs.  Brass  Iliiifres. 

—  1.  F Fancy  (foods. 

—  11.  B.  iS;  Co Carriages. 

—  ,1.  &  Co Cigars. 

-&X Whol.  (fro. 

—  A.  ]\I Slorngc. 

-C.  U Baker. 

—  Mrs.  V, Fancy  tfomls. 

—  J.  L (fro. 

—  1) Boots  and  Shoes. 

—  M Cabinetmaker. 

—  Mrs.  T Fancy  Cfoods. 

—  L &  Co Oro.  and  Prov. 

—  Dr.  W Mnfr.  Sauces. 

—  &  Son Prov. 

J.  B 11.  E.  Agent. 


Till;:  SYSTKM   KXI'OSED. 


003 


ffovf",  ctr. 

lU'liiniht^. 

s  IIiiifx«'s. 

y  (ioodn. 

.  .('iK»i,-^. 
lull.  <Jl<). 

..nak(!i'. 

•y  Ciooil^, 

...(iro. 
lid  Shoes, 
ictiuiikcv. 
■y  tJoods. 
|ii(l  Prov. 

SiUici'S. 

.  .I'niv. 
Airi'Ut. 


A i^-.  V .  .lifiokin/j:  Olassofi,  ftc. 

A ('.  \V (iriiiii. 

15 J5 Tiiilor. 

15 S ('riickcry,  etc. 

U &  \j (.'roclicry,  <'tc. 

]\ Son  &  Co IjUiiilifr, 

U U.  S.  &  ("o Ori). 

H iV  ( '() Wliol.  J/K|Uor.s. 

H &  J» Klour. 

]{ I).  (} Oml,  (iro.,  otc. 

n ,t  I) l>k.  I'uckciH. 

U I Urkr.  iiiul  C'lotliiiifj. 

H A.  M.  &Co (ii-o. 

H 1 Wut.lios. 

(' \V Uoota  uiid  Slioi!.^. 

(• 0 (iro. 

(" C S J5 t'o. 

(' AV Conl. 

(' M.  L (iro. 

(' .1 Poultry,  Fruit,  etc. 

(' S &  Co LuiuImm-. 

< ' IJroH Bk'g  I'owdiT. 

(' J.  &  Son Piiino.s. 

C A.  M Flour,  <'ti'. 

C J' Coo|)nr. 

n &  K Luiuhor. 

1) U.  C.  &Co Clotliinj,'. 

1) P &  L IJoots  !Uid 

SliouH. 

D .T.  W.  &  Co. . .  .Paptir-lianfjiu.ujH. 

K C.  P.  &  Co liumb(u'. 

K J Gro.,  etc. 

l'' N.  A (iriiiii. 

(i J.  &  Co Carriages,  etc. 

(i i{.  J .'..Coul. 

(i P.  U Co])persiuitli. 

11 W.  &  Co Oy.'^tern  and  Fruit. 

II J Furniture,  etc. 

II &D IJav,  etc. 

II (} Saloon. 

IL J.  H Music  Store. 

H .1.  L.  &C Lumber. 

J J (.iro. 


T;- 

L- 
1.- 

.Mc 
Mc 
.Me 
.AI<: 
.Me 
Mc 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
O- 
()- 
P- 
I'- 
P- 
S- 
S- 
S- 
S— 
S- 
S- 
S- 

s- 

T- 
T- 
'I"- 
T- 
'1'- 
V- 
\V 

w 

\v 
w 
\v 
w 

W- 
W- 

w 


—  If.  V.  U.,  .Tr rientw'  Furn'g. 

—  I .Millinery. 

—  .1.  W Car|)enter. 

.\ C Tailor. 

C I"' I'^ating  lioii.sc. 

I) 11 Carriages. 

I) liios 1).  (ids. 

K P.  H.  iV  Co Caudl-'.H,  etc. 

K iS;  Co Flour,  (Jraiii,  etc. 

J.  W I'.iliiard  Saloon. 

liro.s Oro. 

tJ Til]  rH. 

fi'V Coni'n. 

IJ I),  ({. 

—  (r Clothing. 

—  ]•: I),  (i.,  t;u-. 

—  .1 C<)ntract(U'. 

—  i\:  .McL Coal. 

r.  A I),  (i. 

—  F.  A Builder,  etc. 

—  P Tailor. 

—  II.  11 (iuns,  etc. 

—  HroH CahiiietiukrH. 

—  C iS:  Co Lumber. 

—  S &  \V Tobacco. 

—  &  II Pai)er,etc. 

—  U.  it  Co Silver-plated  Ware. 

—  M  r.H.  M Fancy  (ids. 

—  W Drugs. 

—  &  W Cai  pets. 

—  C.  II Physician. 

—  L &  Co \Vheels. 

—  C.  C.  &  Co Drugs. 

Mrs.  .1.  M DresHUikr. 

S.  F Flour,  (.iraiu,  (sic. 

«' Carpets. 

,1 ( i  ro. ,  etc. 

P.  II Doors,  etc. 

W.  M.iVCo D.  (i. 

W.  II.  it  S(Uis Watches. 

A .Whol.  (iro. 

W.  P Provisions. 

11 MouldiuK,-  Sand. 


tlj 


ALT3ANY,  K   Y 


I  i 


[Ti>    111;    CI)XTI.NUi;i). 


224 


THE  CO.MMKUCIAL  AOEN'CIEa. 


ATLATsTA,   (I A. 


H\ 


A J.  W Pliintcr. 

A 1.  W.  i^  ('.  !•' Niir.-i  TV. 

A W..I I'laiitiT. 

A W.  C I'laiitfr. 

A •!.  S   St<»vrH,  <'lc. 

A II.  \V I'liuitcr. 

li 15 (in.. 

15 J.  \V i'iniitcr. 

H \V,  It I'riiit.T. 

15 ('.  1'' .Mti.Hic. 

15 I*.  10 (irna-r. 

J5 MiH.  F.  M I'luiitcr. 

15 ('.  15.&('() (in.. 

15 k  (I A^[n. 

]i J.  H (icii.  Ston-. 

]t ,1.  ].; (in,. 

15 K Fuiicy  (i(lH. 

15 (i.  A (i.ii.'Ston'. 

15 iV  I) L'kjuoih,  etc. 

(' F.  M Pliii.Ktr. 

(' W.  T (in.. 

(• (i.   W l'l:iiit<T. 

1) S IMiuiliT. 

1) S.  II Sii(i<ll.'i-. 

K (c  V 1).  (i.  ,.|c. 

E 11 (in.. 

V (>.  II.  &  A.  W.lJoots  and  SIioch. 

V W I'laiil.r. 

y &  K I'lmiihciu 

¥ .1 I'laiitir. 

(i S Plant. r. 

(j| W.  II IMantcr. 

[to  li;  l 


a W &  Co l\f M.^ic.  fir. 

II T.  J (in..,ilr. 

II (>.  !■'.  iV  A.  F C.im'ii,  (If. 

.1 M.  \V Ag'l  Imi-lts.,  etc. 

.1 .M.  \V.  iV  lin. Conrn,  etc. 

.1 I' I/K|ii()r.s. 

h W.  !5.  A:  Cn C'loiliiiiK. 

L I, D.O. 

I J II I''i.iin(lry. 

I, r.  II I'larit.T. 

McC |{.  I' I'hinlcr. 

McX \V.  iVCo .MillH. 

M iV  .1 Liiiiilicr. 

N 1) (i  nicer. 

O'N J (iidcci'. 

() |>.  Ji I'lantir. 

() F I'laiitir, 

I' iv  W Iii'.'^taiifaiit. 

I' F iV  Cu 1).  (i. 

V W.  !{.,  Jr.,  iV  Cu (In..,  I'tc. 

n A.  .1.  K.   !• I'laiit.r. 

|{ (i.  (• Sad.llci'. 

U I.C (in.. 

S ('.  II.  iV  Co Cotti.n  likiH. 

S I I'lant.T. 

S J.  M (in.. 

S A.   S IMantir, 

T .V.  J l)ni;,^H. 

V K Mill.r. 

W J.  li l-'niiiitiin'. 

\V iV  C Stk.  Yaril. 

iTlNLliU.] 


m 
Wi 


•niV.  SVSTKM    KXl'OSKD, 


I 


Miinic,  ftr. 
.  .<ir<i.,  ftc. 
Ciiiii'ii,  ell', 
iii|iltn.,  I'd". 
<  'diu'ii,  cti'. 
.  .  .  I/n|iiorH. 
.  .('lolliiiii,', 

I),(i. 

..I''niiii(lry. 

...I'lillltlT. 

..  .I'liuitcr. 

MillH. 

, . .  liiiiiilicr. 
. .  .  .<  iioccr. 
, . .  .(iroccr. 
. .  .I'liinli  T. 
. .  .I'huitiT, 
liCHtiuiniiii. 

I),  r,. 

.  .<"n).,  ('tc. 

. .  .I'liiMlcr. 
.  .  .Saddlrr. 

<i|(), 

'()tlf)n  I'.kin. 
.  .  .I'liiiitcr. 

<lrn. 

. .  .riiiiitci'. 
.  .  .  .  I>ni;,fH. 

Miller. 

.  l-'iirnitiin'. 
.Stk.  Yuril. 


AUlUJTiN,  N.  Y. 


A- 
A- 
U- 
H- 
H— 
H- 


D- 


-  A 

-H.  II 

■('.  S.,  Sr... 
•  UriiM.  .t  {,'<). 

•  (;.  I' 

■  &  Sdii 

M 

&i  H 


SIlDCH.     /     I»- 

.  Slovcs,  etc.  I  1>_ 
1'- 
I'- 


ri». 


10.  I). 


I) — a J 

I) ,sis M- 


.M 
M- 


I).  <: 
A.  H.. 
W.  11. 


.  1' —  ( '„. 

-KH'n 

D.  Al.  k  (V 


l-'ir,-'. 

.MucliiiiiMt.s. 

Mill.T. 

.  .DiKtill.TH. 

Urn. 


.  M  ilwiiri'. 
.  MM  ware, 
.<<i'().,  cti;. 
(iro. 


li- 


,1, 


'iiiitcr. 


!   S- 


inc. 


,|{r 


.Smii 


.U 


K'H,    etc. 
cfilicr.M,  etc. 


s 

T  — 
r 


V — 


-it  II I)  (J 

.W--&II — ,v,Hi: 

'i,,7~r ('loihiiiL'. 

-    '    'f''t<'.  W l-uM.her. 

"  '■  '' Miidiiiiisi,  etc. 

y    ' I).  (J. 

"■  <  •  '^-  <'■  W rHl)'t  Wur.' 

•'^■'^" I'l...ir,  et... 

■  V    ,7~r\ I'llterit.H. 

•I.  ().  <v  ( (( ])  ^| 

'<•  li.  «V  <''>..MnfiH.'<''()ri',Hiu.|!lTH 

\'i  ^''ft^T. AirnUH. 

'^'•"-  "^   >'•  A Milliner. 

'! (Jn.. 

,, Jioot.H  and  SIicc.h. 

V iV  i. 1),  „^ 


[to  he  co.vtim.'ki 


lili 


w 


m 


^u 


i    ■■ 


226 


THE  COMMERCIAL   AGENCIES. 


>i:-  , 


BALTIMORE,  MD. 


A W.  II.  k  Co Oyster  Packers. 

A T &  Co Aiii'tioncors,  ctr. 

A E D.  G. 

American  F I Co. 


■;■■■' 


^■ 


■  &  D Fiirnitiiro. 

•  M Notions. 

■  J.  J Provisions. 

C Shoes. 

■  S Wines,  etc. 

•  a.  \y Hardware. 

(i Brewery. 

■  J Brewery. 

&  11 Gen'l  Com'n. 

■  &  B Furniture. 

J Shoes. 

■  J Slioes. 

■  j.».  (f Tobacco. 

.&H Tailors. 

II Liquors. 

W Foundry,  etc. 

.] Books. 

B.  &  Sons Whol.  Slioes. 

B.  P Books,  etc. 

J Coaches. 

(f.  II Paint.s  Oils,  etc. 

V.  II.  &,I Silverplater.-^. 

W.  C Urocr. 

k  Bro Slioes. 

L iV  Co Oysters. 

C Uros.  iS:  Co Druo-p. 

C- 
C- 

c- 

C- 

c 

C- 
C- 
<"- 


A- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
1?- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
C- 


C — 


V- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 

c- 


H (iro. 

&  W F'cy  (ids. 

■  I'l  ,1 Lumber. 

- 11 i\:  Co Founders. 

■P.  n Broker. 

■  T.  F.&C(. Gents'  (Ms. 

■  li.  B Hotel. 

■  .^:T Boilers. 

(J.  W Mnfr.  Cotton  Bats 

and  WaddinjT. 

•  &  Co Stoves. 

T,  K Lqr.s. 

(}.  W.  M Shoes. 

J Periodicals. 

J Whol.  Lqrs. ,  etc. 

&  Co Books,  etc. 


D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
E- 
F^ 
E- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
]<^- 
F- 
G- 
(}- 
({- 
G- 
G- 
(J- 
G- 
(i- 
G- 
II- 
II- 
11- 
II- 
H- 
11- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
.1- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 

K- 
K- 
K- 
L- 
li- 


-.1.  W Ildware. 

-J.  F.  W Stencils. 

-  F.  F.  &  Co.Drugf^ists'  Sundries. 

-  J.  O I).  G. 

-C.  L &Co Gro. 

-&  B Saw  Mill. 

-  J.  K.  &  Co Boots,  Hats,  etc. 

-  S.  A.  &  Co Oysters,  etc. 

-J Millinery. 

-  S Stov(^s. 

-H Baker. 

-M.  L Plumber. 

-  N.. . .    Junk. 

-  &  B Mirrors,  etc. 

-  Sons  &  Co Cotton  Duck. 

.  (' c Co. 

-  S , Tavern. 

-  .1 Silverplater. 

-II.  T.  &T Com'n. 

-  Bros.  &  Co (iro. 

-H.  C Distiller. 

-J Iini).  and  Com'n  Fruits. 

-I Clothinl,^ 

-  A.  <r.  &  Co Laces,  etc. 

-  S.  M Coal,  etc. 

-J.  M Coal. 

-B.  F Flour,  etc. 

-  ( '.  it  ( 'o Printers. 

-  .1.  H Whol.  Notions. 

-  C.  &  Son Contractors. 

-  G.  (.' Books,  etc. 

-  .1.  iV  Co Clothing. 

-J.  G Tinware,  etc. 

-  W.  J Cabinetnikr. 

-  J.,  .Ir Fertilizers,  etc. 

S.  M.  &'  Co Coal  Shippers. 

-  H Gro.,  etc. 

-  H.  &  Son I),  (i. 

-  Bros Prov. 

-W.  H.  kCo Who).  Paint.s 

Oils,  etc. 

-  Bros .  .('liandlery,  etc. 

-  .1.  II..  Jr Lunibei'. 

-.1.  &Co Prov. 

11 Tobacco. 

S.  S.  &  Son Iron  and  <'oal. 


■nrn  systkm  p:xposed. 


227 


-^-  < Hotd. 

-  "■  ••. Leatlier. 

}}■,■■/. Ciirringee. 

'•  "■•■  <-" Lnrs. 

i Bakery. 

() (•„_ 

~^^J^ «ro. 

-'l^-   >^ I5()()k.s,  etc. 

-  ('.  B.  &  Co (jry 

-l'r"« Cigair. 

-  I{.  &  Sons Criu-kcrs. 

~  '[■  '^ I''iirnituro. 

"'', <>'ro.,('tc. 

-  \^ '*■'<'" Tailors. 

~  •'1   Hoop  Skirts,  etc. 

-•j;  ^  <^'" A^niiicy. 

"  !'  • Shoes. 

~  '^  "''"' l'iilierliann;infrs. 

-  '^••^'  '^i'" Clotlis. 

-  A.  iV-  Sons (jj.,,.,  ete 

■^  JI D.(J.,et<-. 

'''   Shoes. 

~  ^ ' Carriages. 

iV  (v Jjros MkigH. 

Y Brewery. 

A.  B.  &  ( 'o Stock  Broker. 

-'^-  "■'^^  ^'" Com'n  Liiiuber. 

^/-  </•.•''■■ Capitalist. 

&  H liuiuber. 

\V.  (j.  iV  Co Com,  jniilF: 


II.  B 
G.  P 
A... 
T. . . 

&  ^v 


nut. 

•  • (fro. 

Co.  .CoiifVi-.  and  Fruits. 

Tobacco. 

Liquors. 

— Carriages. 


K- 
K- 
li- 
R- 
li- 
K- 
S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 

s- 


M- 


u- 


aiul  (1- 


Co. 


*,'•  ^f (iaslitter. 

?•,•••„••,; Brewer. 

•J-  ''••i^Bro Kruii. 

,•;•  '}■  "^  <'" Shoes. 

{  •  '*•  •■*^'  <^'" Carriages. 

M.  L.  A:  Co Books,  etc. 

•' Bookbinder,  etc. 

Hosiery. 

••'•'■^^" Broker. 


C. 


S       ■ ,, Brewer 

S Bros Regalias. 

S ff  ^ Bldrs. 

5 — „••■;•• ^^>'«''"'"- 

';  "•  '^'  <  " Clothing. 

^ ^,-; D.u. 

!,  \  ■  y Furniture. 

2 '•  V l-'vcry  Stables. 

S A.  A:  rioii Turners. 

s=?>:s:;;:::;;;::::::::::^"£ 

Madiinist. 

I'reservcs. 

liOatiier. 

,p  ,    ,,  Lumber. 

,\: -^  ^' Hatter. 

^^. {' D.  (i. 

,\.  ^\ Furniture. 

^^ ' Junk. 

. .  .Steel  and  Iron. 

('lothing. 

,,,  Clothing. 

^' Brcwerv. 


T 

-  S 

(J 

'[' 

-W 

.  II.... 

'1' 

N. 

k  Co.  . 

'1' 

L- 

.\:  ( 

Jir 


[to  i;::  co.ntinuec.] 


t:     hi 


'S 


TiJK   COMMLlUAIi   AGKN'UIK.S. 


BAIS^GOE,  Mil 


^iii 


•■  Hit 


V- 


&f^-— -. 


M 


1? 


II 


(i B, 

n —  &  ('• 


T            Sc  f'li 

.('loili 

AT 

i.  F 

.  A'lotl 

-Co. 

lO.S.  &  1 ) 

'.  JI 

1.1111 

t 

K        

T>   &  Co   . 

.<  'Olll'll 

iuul  F 

.      I^Ulll 

I    !<' 

.    ...Mil 

linory, 

].  A 

( 

!.  W 

Proil.. 

iccit,'^,  etc. 


Ill^r. 


(in), 
lour. 


(iro. 
etc. 


J.  A.  .^:  ('.  V 


l,\lllll)('r,  etc. 
Liiiiihcr. 


M- 


O 


.  iV-  \^nn 

S.  &  Co.  .  .  . 

\' 

Ililw 

...M.Mlic 

i.  w 

tr      - 

:.  A 

I J 

(iro 

and  Linii 
J  Jill 

V   T   iV  ( V. 

t  jllllllx'T 

i.  Vu  k  Co.. . 

. .  .  1" "niit, 

L.     W 

.  .Mad  11 11 

[.  M 

liUIU 

;  I, 

.  .  .Uro. 

.  ]>,! 

.      .11 

,  C 

. ....  L)i  111 

V 

..N 

ivi'aition. 

aro 


ibcr. 
(i  ro. 

etc. 
ibnr. 
ibcr. 

i-ti-. 

ctr. 
lerv. 


otr. 

Dtcl. 


cU 


1). 


. F'cv  (jds, ,  ctr 


[to  r.i:  foNTiM.:::).' 


!)'!? 


f  I 


THE  SYSTEM    EXPOSED. 


221) 


r>rNGTiAMTO]sr  x.  y. 


iff  .-. 


•^         '^ S'poctiliitor. 

•\ <'l' Ildwaro. 

15 () [J (•„. 

" )^ (iio. 

\] /' Bitters. 

» ]'■  -\ JowoUer. 

]^ •' Woo]. 

", 'I  <' Dru^rs. 

'- > O ,V  Co Paper. 


D- 
D- 
I.- 
L- 
M- 
()- 
()- 
()— 
!•- 
\V- 


-I' Grist  MillH. 

-K  K Gro 

•  Bros.  &  Co IJoots  and  Slioc^. 

■I''-  '' Liquorn 

-  ^''  I* Physiciiin. 

II.  15 Huildcr,  i:u:. 

^y HuildiT,  <itc, 

1' Slioca  and  CJro. 

^-  I'-  &  ('" lid  ware 

-^'-   II UruiTs 


fro  UK   (OKTINUEI:.] 


IJOSTOX,  MASS. 


'} f (^othincr. 

'^ &f^"" Clothinjr. 

'^ A.  M.  &  C.) Prnduco. 

A A.  II Furniture. 

A < '.  F.  &  Co ISliocs. 

■} •!•   !^ SliocH. 

A S it  Co Teas 

•^ •' Pubiislirr. 

A O— C C„. 

Anu'riciin  S S Co. 

A K.  H Stciiin  (iiiu<r('H. 

A ^V-  NV Cutl.rv. 

H A.  W Billiard  Tahl.'s. 

I' !•' Salt 

II "-.I' Leather. 

P ^^ &  < 'o Door.«,  etc. 

jj— jy" nV=.re. 

11 — Mr;.A'.M".*:::::::::::::;:uro: 

\l ''■  I^.  <*»■■   «'<) Com'u  MerH. 

]] •!■  I<-  '•*^'  <■<> Coni'ii  Oils. 

H ^^.J.  &Co Shoes. 


B U OiK 

1^         '^I Ma.sou. 

15 •' Shoos. 

15 "t  H Uubbcr  (Joods 

B &  I! iiatH.  etc 

15 &1! Oils 

15 B KhoO    FlKJ.rf; 

15 W.  I!.\-Co Spices. 

15-       <  '• '  > Contractor, 

I r.  F. Lumber 

J5  (,-- __  ^v-  c, Storago,  etc. 

j!  •'•  I' • . . Japaiiner. 

; -J ('lothiuLr. 

u •,'■*•  ''^'  ^"" Clothing. 

|5 &  'I' ■ CiirrierH. 

15 'i' ,v  W Fumitt.re. 

5 (' k  Co.  .  .  .Tailors'  'IVin'-s. 

|5 •!•  I' nothiiur 

'  '•^'  15 Ciilinetiukis. 

J5i)ston  C S -Co. 

Boston  I) Co. . . .  ;.  .Kancy  Goodr^. 

Boirtoii  F ( 'o. 


I 


Ml 


i 


im 

■ill  ! 

ml 

i 


;  i'-' 


I! 


t- 


t 


230 


'.'HE   COMMKRCIAIi   AGKNCIKS. 


Bofiton  M P Co. 

Boston  R :M . 

J} n &  ('.) Millinery. 

B k  L Ciirpcntcrs. 

\i J.  &  Co Shoea. 

B (i &  Co I'iiintrt,  etc. 

\i 'J'.  (' Ijiquor.s. 

B T.  15.  .V  (' Tninks. 

B O.  I. IViUiuril  Tables. 

H J.  B.  &  Co Com'n. 

« n.  &Co Clothing. 

B (!.    M Stoves. 

B H.  T Inmcy  Gwnh. 

B 'J' Iii(]uore. 

B B.  &  Sons lirokora. 

IJ J Shoes. 

B V.  &i  C SimiUware.s. 

B &  B Machinery. 

J} s &  .M A—. 

B &  S T.c.ntlier. 

V M.  S Shoe  Blacking. 

(' J.  B (ihisswuro. 

(; F LiiiiiorH. 

C J liDoUseller. 

C IJ.  B Tin  Cann. 

C V Gro. 

C. X.  ]) Ciil f  Bts. 

*.' C.  &  Co StoveK. 

<1 C.  II.  &  Co Tolnu-co. 

C U &  Co <iro. 

C I.  M riiito  Iron. 

<; J.  S.  &■  Co i'rod. 

C ]JroH.  &  Co Hosiery,  etc. 

C iV  Sons I'ianos. 

V, \V.  C Leather,  etc. 

<! F iV  Co. .  .(ias  Fixtures,  etc. 

«' II.  A Ajjothecary. 

<1 \V.  &Cn Thri'ads. 

^', S.  W Cordials. 

«; .1.  N.  .M.  &Co 1).  U. 

C. H.  F \V Mills. 

<' I) D.G. 

C J.  &  Co 1/uiuors. 

<! M.  &  Son Coni'n  Car. 

C (i.  T Furniture. 

(' Bros,  it  Co Chairs. 

C J.  &  Co Liejuors. 

C F Boots  and  Shoes. 

C E.  (.jI Tanner,  etc. 

<; (• \-  ('„ Shoes. 

C E.  W.  &  Co Leather. 

C H,  it  Co Glassware. 

C J.  K.  &  Co Clothing. 

(- J Hosiery. 

,  V. W Tailor. 

I  <' IL  Son.s Coal,  etc. 

C Ti &  M- Boots  and 

Shoes. 

( ! M.  &  Co Linseed  Oil. 

C C.  11.  \;  C<. Flour. 

< ' X Pianos. 


C- 

c- 
c- 

C- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
])- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
])- 
D- 
D- 
])- 


D- 
])- 
D- 
E- 
E- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
1'- 
1<- 
F- 
1-- 
F- 
I'- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 

F- 

F- 
F- 
F- 
(J- 
G- 
G- 
G- 
G- 
G- 
(i- 
<J- 
O- 
G- 
(J- 
G- 
H- 
II- 
II- 
11- 
II- 
11- 


B.  P.  &C'o Carpets. 

<!.  W.  A:  Co Hats,  etc. 

IL  C Gloves. 

H &  Co Fancy  Goods. 

•  S &  Co G  ro. 

-  C.  B.  k  Son Liquors. 

•  1).  IL  &  Co.  . .  .Boots  and  Shoes. 

■  &  C Firebricks. 

-<L  B.  A:  Co D.  G. 

•  W.  W Coni'n  Cigars. 

-J Mer. 

-  &  Co Pajjer  and  Twine. 

-  E.  P.  &  Co. .  .Jianips  and  Fluid. 

•  M.  &  Co Liquors. 

-  C Tanner. 

-P Publisher. 

-E.  L.  &  Co Cotton. 

-I<:.  C Mer. 

-  J.  P.  P Li(iuors. 

-  it  W Boots  and  Shoes. 

-  &  W Trunks,  etc. 

-  W.  W Brushes. 

-  A.  &  Co Cotton. 

-.1.  1' Broker. 

-  V>'.  A.&  Co Shirts. 

-  \V.  1).  it  Co Boots. 

-  &  11 Liquors. 

-  S iV  Co Curriers. 

-  O.  L Li(iuors. 

-  &  Co Woollens. 

-  S &  Co Navy  Shirts. 

-  1).  F.  &  Co Li(iuois. 

-  J.  P.  &  Co Firebricks,  etc. 

-M.  J Hotel. 

-O.  &  Co Tallow,  etc. 

-  H A  Co Sniallwares. 

-  Mrs.  J.  (j Cor.sets,  I'tc. 

-I.  S Tailor. 

-  &  11 I'at.  Sponge  Bed- 

ding. 

-  K.  &  Co Fish. 

-  A.  iV  Co. . .    Crockery,  etc. 

-J.   H Distiller. 

-  S.    \ Baker. 

-S.  X.  it  Co Butter. 

-A P— —  Co. 

-F &-  Co Fish. 

-it  (i Chemical  Engs. 

-  K ■  it  Co Chandlers. 

-A Shipwriglit. 

-  P- \  Co Woollens. 

-  B.  J Shoulder  Braces. 

-J.  &  C Flour. 

-  W Wool. 

-  it  Bros Crockery,  etc. 

-  it  Co Furniture,  etc. 

-  F Furniture,  etc. 

-  H.  V.'.  it  Co Men's  Furn'nr. 

-  V.  E.  &  Co Coni'n  Wool. 

-  F it  Co Shoes. 

-  M Co. 


T]IK   SYSTEM   EXl'OSEU. 


201 


II A.  it  Co Doors,  etc. 

II H &  Co .Mi'ii'8  Fiirn'g'. 

II ]?ros.  iS:  Co.  .  .  .  HoDtH  und  Slioos. 

H F A:  Co Lciitlicr. 

II \V.    1> Wool. 

H C k  ( 'o Clicmictilri. 

II &  1} NN'oiuen's  Collar.'!. 

II I'.  H.  \-  Son Luiubi'r. 

II S.  I/.  i\:  Co Machinery. 

II S.  S IJootH,  i-t'c. 

II M.  C.  A-  Co Fiinrv  P.  G. 

II K.  \-  Cci \\'ulclic.s. 

H J.  A Triin'g.i,  etc. 

H W &C Co. 

H Bros...    .  Huttoiiliolo  Macliinca. 

II C.  a.  &  Co <)rf,'aiis. 

.1 1) tS:  Co Bookhiudcrs. 

.1 it  M — - U.  E.  Brokers. 

.1 U it  V Hats. 

.1 T.  L Ajtothecary. 

.1 \V.  II.  it  C(. Piuno.s, 

.! C it  Co S.  Machinos. 

.1 II.  M.  it  Co Iron. 

.1 &  n Iron. 

K .1.  (i.  .Ir (iro. 

K K.  J Boots,  lite. 

K N Liiiiiors. 

K &  I) Leather. 

K &   J Boots,  etc. 

li J Boilernikr. 

L 1 (Jro. 

li it  II Carjx'ts. 

li \V it  Co Men's  Fiinr<i'. 

li A.  S.  it  \V.  U.  &  Co Mers. 

1. A.  K Lead  Pii.e,  etc. 

L (f.  \V.  it  C(i Stock  Brokers. 

L 1).  &  Cn Books. 

]/ 1) it  Co Com'n. 

.McK II M A 

McP A.  M.  &  Co Pianos. 

M &  E—  — Tailors'  Trim'trs. 

M C.  B.  it  Hro Oils. 

M .1.  P.  it  Brn (Hasawaro. 

.M X it  W Paints. 

.M II.  J.  it  Co Shoes. 

M II it  ( •() Shoes. 

M S.  W Carpenter. 

.M C Co. 


M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
N- 
X- 
N- 
X- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
<i~ 
<2- 
K- 
]{- 
I{- 
K- 
S— 
S— 

s— 
s— 
s— 
s— 
s— 

T- 
'J- 
\- 
\V- 
NV- 
AV- 
W- 
AV- 
W- 
\V- 
W- 
AV- 
Y— 


-B.  C.  &Co B'krs. 

-  B it  Co Millinery. 

-  Bros.  C it  Co Lumber. 

-  F.  \V.  it  Co Produce. 

-  li.  it  Co S.  M.  Needles. 

-  K it  A Pajier. 

-  P it  Co Milline.y. 

-11 Li()iior '. 

-  .1 it  Co Cli)thinir. 

-  L.  B Coal,  etc. 

-  \N'.  B Li(iuors. 

-  <> it  C< Co. 

-J.  .1 Flour. 

-  F it  Co Hats,  etc. 

-  T.  S.  it  Co Slioes. 

-  &  B Brushes. 

■  Bro.it  Co Steel. 

-  C.  H.  it  Co Iron  Works. 

-S.  H.  L Planing  Mill. 

-  ( J.  it  Son Leatlier. 

-  .1.  &  Co Junk. 

-J <  'hocolate. 

-  tj Co. 

-  11 Co (iranito. 

-  S it  Co ()  riudstones. 

-  Ij.  it  Co Clothinu;. 

-  it  Co Metals, 

-(1.  H Clothing. 

W.  A Heal  Estate. 

II it  Co Lumber. 

J.  P.  it  Co Provision. 

L it  (i P Co. 

S Builder,  etc. 

M Co Furniture,  etc. 

(i Co (ilassware. 

-  U,  F.  it  Co Leatlier. 

■  I? it  Co Books. 

-  Mrs.  J Millinery. 

-  Bros,  it  II Paints. 

-  E.  Il.it  Co Produce. 

-  Iv Clothinjr. 

-  it*Co Coiu'n  1).  <i. 

-  P it  Sou H'ware. 

-  C.  E ( 'rock(^rv. 

-X 1 M Co. 

-  X.  ( i.  it  Son Jewelry. 

-  P it  Co Li(|uorrf. 

i;.  11 Coiii'u  Mur. 


[to  hi:  coNTiMi:!).] 


Wool. 
.  Sheer-. 


)  r 


-i: 


233 


TIIK   CUMMEUCI.VL    AGENCIES. 


I: 


BUFFALO,  N.  Y. 


4 


,/  hi 


m 


m 


A J Saddlor. 

A A:  J5— — Furiiituio. 

A — ■ —  k  ('-— — Fertilizing. 

A V.  A I).  U.,  ftc. 

A—  1  [ Pliiirmacy. 

A iV  W Carriafres. 

H 1).  ]'i Contractor. 

B &  J? Lumber. 

« X.  II Joiiur. 

H P Marble. 

B 1) Locomotives. 

B F.  &  II ("ab'tware. 

B iV-  Hro Hats,  etc. 

B ,V  ir Shirta. 

B A.  A.  iS:  ('(> ("oin'ii,  etc. 

B lU'os Whol.  Jewelrv. 

B N Clothier. 

B J Lumber. 

B A.  Sou  A  <'((.  .  .  .llata.  Boots  and 

Sliocs,  etc. 

B Bros Saloon. 

B k  Co Saloon. 

B \V.  C Hotel. 

B C.  S.  BroH Tolmcco. 

B iS:  F — — Clothing. 

B :M.  a Bricks. 

B jM.  W Hell.  Furniture. 

C J Coal. 

C T Files. 

C W.  a Tin,  Copper,  etc. 

C J.  A.^  Co G.  S. 

C J.  A.  &  S<iii Barrels. 

C S &  Co Sashes,  etc. 

C iV'  Van  A Iron  Works. 

C J Coal,  etc. 

C <} 

C- &  A Furs,  Hats,  etc. 

C J.  Jr Real  Estate. 

C B.  C Stock  Dealer. 

C L.  Ji Cattle  DenU 

C l.F Millii.       . 

D &  C Maltste    . 

I) F iK:  F Coal. 

D 1{ ; Mach.  Gauges. 

D C.  Y Boilers. 


I) H Uro.  etc. 

1) C Brewer. 

I) 11.  &C Planing  Mill. 

1) &  Co Fish  Packers. 

1) vSill Foundry,  etc. 

F, V, Sliip])ing,  etc. 

K 10.  W Contractor. 

F .1 Boots  and  Sliocs. 

F. &  VV 'J' Co. 

K A (^onfcc, 

F W .  ( } 

F it  W Brewery. 

F S &  Co 1  Aimber. 

F F Variety,  etc. 

F C.  11.  &  Co Dist'illers. 

(J C.  W MiilLster. 

(i .1 Foundry. 

O—  F.  II Lunilie'r. 

(i P Bricks. 

G L Cahinc.tiiikr,  etc. 

II 1) Brewer. 

H J.  L Brewer. 

II C.J Caj.italist. 

H 1'^ Lunilicr. 

H &  G Stoves,  etc., 

H A.  G Spices. 

II—  B.  B.  i-:  Co Frwdrs. 

H .1.  M.  &  Co Spices,  et<'. 

H &  Co Furniture. 

H—  i.\  .1 Flour  and  Feed. 

11 F.  &B Planing  Mill. 

K 15 Co. 

K S.  &  Co Clothing. 

K II.  \V Hammers. 

K &  F Livery. 

L J.  G Gro. 

L .1 .  .  .Flour,   Wood,  etc. 

L B Boots. 

L M Gro. 

L S Tobacco. 

L (' Contractor. 

McC &  J Sailmkrs. 

McL J.   B CofTe.'S.  etc.. 

M M.  T Shoes,  etc. 

M J.   B Maltster. 


THE   SVSTEJr   EXPOSED, 


23,'! 


M B &  Co ScetlH,  v.tr. 

M \V.  T.  &,  Co I).  C 

yi BroH Theatricals. 

M &  C llonr  Brokor.H. 

M N.  &  Co IJoots. 

^I Hroa 'rannor.H. 

M Bros Lqrs. 

N S.  \V LoatluT. 

N M.  &  Co Fey.  Uood.s. 

O C;.  A.  &  Co Picture*. 

() K &  Co Planing  Mill. 

<> &  Co I^api-r,  etc. 

O J U.K.  Agt. 

1' &  <• Bolts  and  Niit.s. 

1' J.  &  Co lloctitiers. 

P 1.  II D.  G. 

P F P J-; Co. 

1' S.  <J Inspector. 

Q C F S M Co. 

It A DruiTH. 

li (;.  \V Hats,  etc. 

H C Dru!>;.s. 

S A Brewery,  etc. 

S &  Co Fruit,  Game,  etc. 

S J.  F.  &  Son Leather. 

S 1 Planin-r  Mill. 

S F Buildi;r. 

S &  Co Meds.,  Perfiiniery,  etc. 


a- 

S- 

s- 

H- 
H- 
S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 

s- 
']'- 

T- 
T- 
T~ 
IJ- 
U- 
V- 
V- 
\V- 
W- 
\V- 
W- 
\V- 
W- 
W- 
W- 


(>.  E. .  ..Jewelry  and  Silverware 

-  A Gro. 

■  H (iro. 

•&H I..ir.s, 

l>r.  F.  (i Oculist  and  Aiirist. 

.1 Broker,  etc. 

F.  J (iro. 

•I.  F Sliipiiinii;. 

Mrs.  M.  &  Son Cabtnikri--. 

.1.  N.  &  Co Clothin^r. 

Uros Machinists. 

H Dining  Sal. 

■  (i.  II.  &  Son Coal. 

.1.  K Hotel. 

F.  D.  &H Hotel. 

-  C Variety. 

.    I) 1) (o. 

■  V J Lumber. 

H &  H Variety. 

-A (iro.,  etc. 

-J Jeweller. 

-  J.  I).  &  Co Posters. 

-  I'^ Butcher. 

-  &  B Engravers,  etc. 

-&  T ' Gro. 

-  P Lounges,  etc. 

-  &  U — — Cattle  Oealerri. 


m 


[to  UK  COXTINUEt.. 


I3UPtLITNGTON,    IOWA 


A- 
B- 
j}- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
C- 


D- 


G- 


-  i^'  Co G  rocers. 

-T.  \V.  &Co Whol.  Hoots. 

-A Brewer. 

-  I Co. 

•  (  .  J Newspaper. 

-  W Oil  Broker. 

-  W.  it  Co (irain. 

-  I).  B Match  Mnfr. 

-  J-M-^ Coal,  <-tc. 

-  W.  E  &  Co Shingles. 

-J.    S Heal   Estate. 

-Mrs.  E.  M .Millinerv. 

-VV Buildrr,  etc. 

-H Ciirai-s. 

-  G.  &  Co L(|rs. 

-  J.  <&  Co Carr'g  Fcty. 


O N.  P Painter. 

(J s &C:o 1).  (i. 

G C Hotel. 

(• H.  &  Co Bookbinders. 

G W F \V . 

II M Candv  Mnfr. 

1! iS:  S ; .'.  .1).  (i. 

I T—  Co. 

J VV Stationery. 

K A.  .  . Clot'iino-,  (>tc. 

K G Sloves, 

L—  P Lqrs. 

M Bros (iro. 

M &  Sons Builders. 

M I \v Fndry. 

M D Gro. 


u 


11 


'  1.1 


I   •!' 


^i  \ 


\%  i   i'. 


234 


o- 
()- 
1'- 

T- 
I'- 
l{- 

S- 


THK   COMMERCIAL   AGKNCIKS. 


•  <T Coin'n. 

■  ■' Boots  mid  Shoos. 

■  F N(!WMj)iii)fr. 

■  •!.  II Mnfr.  Ut-il  Sprin^r.s. 

■I UndiTlnker, 

-S.J Uro. 

11 bnickotH. 


15- 
JJ- 
('- 
(_'- 
('- 
D- 

!<:- 

F- 
(J- 
(i- 
II- 


S J Furniture. 

S C Nursery, 

S &  Son School  Furniture, 

T II Co rrinlers,  etc. 

T J : Lqrs. 

T L (iro. 

W J.  (.; Miifr.  Dull  Springs. 


TO  UK  voyrisiLu. 


CAMDETs'^,  K  J. 


P 'I'liilor. 

Mr.s.  J Dry  (fooilH. 

&  P K Co. 

&M WcbbiniT. 

L 'l"ol)iu'(:o. 

•  W.  11 Varieties. 

■  S P M Co. 

II.  11 'J'obiUTO,  oil-. 

•J.  ^I.  J I'pholstoror. 

■  S.  H.  &  Co Ijumber, 

•  C.  B Bottler. 


H- 
H- 
J- 
K- 
K- 
li- 
P- 
1'- 
II- 
S- 


—  J Winos,  otc. 

—  H.  X Window  Shiides. 

-  T Boots  unil  Shoes. 

-E Hotel. 

--  P F Co. 

-I'l  II I)ru<rs, 

—  ]'i.  Ji Notions  and  Books. 

-  H (Jro. 

-J.  1) Hides. 

-  J.  ^V.  i';  Sons Iron, 


'■10 


[to  UK  lONTINUtD.] 


I.  ! 


f.i 


CIIAKLESTOISr,  S.  C. 


il^'^ 


A- 
A- 
B- 

\i- 

M- 
B- 
B- 
C- 
C- 
C- 


•  D firo.  and  Food. 

-J D.  G. 

-.1 Gro. 

-P ]).(».,  Gro.,  etc. 

-J.  II.  it  Co 1).  G. 

■Mrs.  A Gro. 

•  G Gro. 

■  &  O . . .  .Auction  and  Com'n. 

■E   II Gro,  etc. 

■  T,  T.  &  Co Turpeutiue. 


C- 

c;- 

C- 

c- 
c- 
c- 
c- 
c- 

D- 


II.  R.  &Co Com'n. 

■  C Whol.  Li(i.  and  Com'n. 

■J Com'n  Cotton. 

P.  M Drugs. 

T.  11 Factor. 

M.  II.  &Co Drujrs. 

&D Com'n. 

I).  S  Boots  and  Shoes. 

-  &  J Livery  and  Sale 

Stables. 


'<  ' 


THE  SY'STEM   EXPOSED. 


235 


D- 

I-;- 


<f- 

(i- 

II- 
il- 


1j Who).  Liquors. 

J.  .M.  i^  15ri). . .  Foiiiidry  unii  Ma- 

cliiiiiHt.''. 

J.  .A. iV Co. ..  .Auction,  yiii])|)ing 

and  Com'n. 

N Hewtiuirant  and  liilliard 

Saloon. 
B.  .Shoos,  TriinkH  and  ("lotliin<,'. 

J.  1) Ins.  A<j:('nt  and  Com'n. 

.1.  M Coni'n  and  Iron. 

I).  iV  Son Hoots  and  Sliors. 

H.  K ..Wood,  otc. 

•  .1 l(i(iut)rrt. 

W.  S.  iV  Son Stocks,  Bonds, 

and  Ins.  Ai^t-nts. 

(i 1).  li.  and  Clothing. 

.M Brokor. 

1).  &  Son. Com'n. 

eV  B Ilat.s. 

^^^  a Cottou  Factor. 

■  J''.,  Jr tiro. 

&  B U'hol.  Fruit,  otc. 

I, K.  &  Co ()(!n'l  Com'n. 

1, i\:  S (ien'l  t-om'n. 

L W.  M.  &  Son Com'n  Cotton. 

i, K.  ,1 !).(). 

L- —  P.  P Com'n. 

Mc'Ii A. . .  ..Machinist  and  B'smith. 

M \.  M (Jro. 

N T.  S Boots  and  Shoes. 


K- 


P- 
P- 
!•- 

K- 

P.- 


U— 
K  — 

S — 


S- 
S— 
S- 
S  — 
S  — 

s— 
s- 

S— 

'J'- 

T- 
'1'- 
V- 
\V- 
W- 

\v 


—  \] Printer  and  Stat'r. 

—  B.   .V Com'n. 

—  J.  U l-'actor  and  Com'n. 

—  P.  &  Co Steam  Saw  Mill. 

—  M.  J .Mnfr.  Cigars. 

—  II- —  iV  Co Whol.  (iro.  and 

Com'n. 

—  .1.  It.  \  Co I,accs,  JCmbroidc- 

rii's,  etc. 
--  iV  I) . .  .Factors  and  Com'n. 

—  W.  1'.  iS:  Co. Builders'  .Materials. 

-J.  II.  1 (Jro. 

-C.  W Coal. 

—  W.  \V Com'n  and  Ship])in;r. 

—  'J'.  ( i Cotton  Broker. 

-J.  II liumber. 

—  &  S Jiumber,  <3tc. 

-II.  C 1).  (i. 

—  A.  U Ship  Chandler. 

—  Bros.  i\;  C Com'n. 

—  iS:  L Shi])  Ciiandlers. 

—  \V.  J ri)liolsterer. 

—  &  B Mnt'r.  Soap. 

—  S F l''ancy  (Joods. 

—  H iV  Co Com'n. 

—  iV  Von  K (.'oin'n. 

—  &  li Soap  and  Candle 

Factory. 

—  -Mrs.  M.J .Millinery. 


|ro  UK  coNTiMi;i).J 


a 


CriICAGO,  ILL. 


.Com'n. 
(I  C(mi'n. 
n  Cotton. 

.  Drugs. 

,  Factor. 
.  .Drujxs. 

,  Com'n. 
id  Shocp. 
and  Sale 

Stables. 


A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 

A- 

A- 

.\- 

A- 

A 

A 

A- 
A- 


.  K Notions. 

■^-10 ]-iveStk. 

B k  1. P Co. 

II.  &  Sons Bricks. 

().  vV  Co Stationery  and  I'ub- 

lishers. 

S.  L Clothing. 

C Furniture!. 

•  M &  Co Carpets,  etc. 

iS:  B Builders. 

P.  M.  &  Co.  ...Artists'  Gds.,  etc. 

S &  Co.  . .  .Whol.  Hats  and 

Straw  (loods. 

.1.  II Wagons. 

■  B.  li.  Co Lumber. 


A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
B- 
U- 
15- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 


it  Co Whol.   i'aints. 

.1,  (< Whol.  Jeweller. 

■  iS:  B Iron  NVorks. 

-  S S Co. 

F (iaslitter. 

J.  C.  W Masonic  (ioods. 

■  &  Bro Wood  and  Coal. 

L 1).  (i. 

M.  C.  \  Co Loan  Hkrs.,  etc. 

•  Bros Stoves,  etc. 

•  1) Showcases. 

■  &  .1 .  ...    Stoves,  etc. 

J.  S.  &  Co Hats,  etc. 

Bros.  &  S 'l"yi"-  F'ndry. 

■  C &  Co Carriage  Goods. 


i 


U' 


r^ 


r 

t 


'I 


,  ( 


i  • 


I   ;•-  I 


■r! 


L'mO 


TiiK  roMMi'.ucr.M,  A(;kxcii:s, 


11 iV.  V Flour  and  VrvA]. 

]1 A liiiiiilur. 

1! &  T MiTcli.  'I'liilorH. 

H 1{.  J <'iii'riii;jcH. 

II F 'l'<pliiicc(»  iind  CifjarH. 

15 (J.  T.  &  Co Coiirn. 

li L.  A.  it  C.) ll'dwiim 

H A.  II Siishcs  mid  DoorH. 

15 ]{.  K.  it  Cu l.unilx'i-  HkiH. 

H &  H— Wlidl.  CldtliH. 

15 A.  jM (iasli{,Hit  and  CoUc 

U F Uvwvv. 

15 W LcatlKT. 

15 1.  (J l/nnc. 

15 (J.  W ( 'arriafrcs. 

15 I5r()H U.  !•;.  OwntTH. 

15 II CistcniH,  etc. 

15-^ —  K.  1-; \Vh..l.  Fish. 

15 I! DnigH. 

15 II.  W Heal  KHlato. 

B it  II I),  (i. 

H it  N ('<nifcc. 

15 K.  it  ("n Woollen  Mnfr.s. 

Snii[)ru's  and  l>y(!  Stuffs. 

15 1),  it  Son Harness. 

15 it  .M Lumber. 

15——  (' Contractor. 

15 J.  it  Co (inns,  etc. 

C W H'dwaro. 

V l5ro.s lU-al  Instate. 

C A.  .1.  it  C.) Bricks. 

C &  l{ Coni'n. 

C L.  11 Loan  Bkr. 

C F \\ 

C I B Co. 

(' it  N I{ ^Co. 

('_ ;{ (' Co. 

C S ( '<). 

C s—  it  I) Co. 

C- —  S.,  .Ir CloUiinp:. 

C S.  1).,  Jr.,  it  Co l''jif,n'avors. 

C A.  15.  it  Co Carria<r('H. 

C- I, &  Co Bcal  Fstatc. 

C C  Heal  Estate. 

C K.  A.  it  Co Printers. 

(" (.'.  it  (1.  it  Co...  .Macliinerv,  etc. 

C N Pi^'Lead. 

C 1'—  II it   Co.  ..Stationer.'^. 

C C it  Co  Lundier. 

C &  11  — Hankers. 

1) 1.  II.  it  Co 1).  (f. 

1) \V.  M I.'eal   Fstate. 

I) J.  \V.  it  Co 'I'eas,  etc. 

1) L it  Co ('om'n. 

E E.  K (funs,  etc. 

E 1 1 it  Co Lumber. 

E P i'loots  and  Shoes. 

I<] C.  L.  it  ^'o Com'n. 

E it  11 Li(]uorp. 

F F &  Co .Millers. 


F 1.  V.  it  Co I),  (i. 

F C.  C Lumber, 

V (I Hanker 

V it  II Coninictors,  <'tc. 

F S.  it  Co Clothin;:. 

(J I (■„. 

0 it  P M ('o.  .Sashes,  etc. 

0 C.it  Co D.  <i 

(1 its— T()b;irco. 

IF it  P Brewery,  etc 

II J.  'I' AdvertiHinjr, 

II it  U— Ciird  Stand. 

II W.  !•: H.  i;.  Operator. 

II A.  L.  it  Hro Furniture. 

II 1) it  ( '<).  .1).  (i.  and  Notions 

II Hres NN'liol.  Li(juors. 

H 1.  l\  it  Co Bediiintr,  etc. 

II—-  .) Hoots  and  Shoes. 

II P (iro 

II it  L Co Tannery. 

II J it  F Pa]ierhanrr- 

iii^rs,  Heddinf^. 

II .1.  C Crockery,  etc. 

II It it   I) ..Mnlrs.  Satihe.s, 

|)oorn,  etc. 

K (i Picture  Fr;  nies. 

K C.  P.  it  Co Clothing. 

K Bros Lumber. 

K A.  E.  it  Co Coni'n  (irain. 

K it  S Planins,'  Mill. 

K H.  W.itCo.Whol.Clolhinir.etc. 

K A.  ,1 Hrick  Macliim's. 

K Hres \\  liol.  tiro. 

L •  M it  Co (irain,  etc. 

[, II.  X.  K liural. 

L— —  J.  it  C< Cab't,    llVhvare,  etc. 

L P Whol.  Tobaci:o. 

L II Loan  Bkr. 

M—  A.  J5.  it  Co Pig  Iron,  etc. 

M ,1 Hoots  and  Shoes. 

M \V it  Co Elevator. 

N P ]M it  L Co. 

N c H U Co. 

P P Caiiitalist  and  Hotel. 

P it  Co Hakerv. 

P A Banker. 

P it  C (.'om'n  Mercdiants. 

]{ W (irain.   Flour,  etc. 

It- •  it  Hro Woollen  Bags. 

1{ H &  \V 1).  U. 

B C.  H Bri(ks. 

R— —  S.  .1.  ..Baskets  and  Hope  Mould- 
in  f,^ 

S (< &  Co ^Infrs.  Furn'j!;. 

y &  P Pat.  Med.s. 

S M.  it  Co.Mnfrs.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

S F.  B Heal  Estati-. 

S L.  it  Co Banker.^. 

S S.  P.  it  Co.  Whol.  F\'y.  (iro.,  etc. 

I;' .\.  it  Son Banker.^. 


TiiK  .svsiK.M  i;xi'()si;i». 


■  H 


l>.  (i. 

. . .  l.Timl"'!' 
. .  .liiiiiluv 

lilcldlH,  fie. 

.  .riotliinjr 

HaslicH,  <'1<'- 

D.  (i 

. .  .'ro'-nceo. 
rcwery,  «'t('. 
\(lvrrtiH'mj,'. 
<'iii(l  Stiiii'l. 
;.  ()])friUor. 
.Furnitiirt'. 
.11(1  Notiiins. 
111.  L'uniorH. 
ifdilintr,  etc. 

*  lUul   SllOOH. 

(iiv 

. .  .'riinn(M-j. 

l'ii]ifr-linii<i- 

Si*.  ncdtlin^. 

nickiTy,  etc. 

11  tin.  Saslu'.s, 

l>o<)i«,  etc. 

uro  l''i:  nies. 

.  .  .t'ldtliinir- 

, . .  .Liinilicr. 

'oiii'ii  (.ifiiin. 

'hininjj:  Mill. 

'loihiiitt.ctc. 

k  Miu'liiiu'H. 

,\Mi()l.  Cini. 

.(h'uin,  etc. 

Itiinil. 

IMwiirc,  etc. 
loi.  Tobiicco. 
Loan  Ukv. 
'ig  Iron,  etc. 
s  and  Sliocs. 
.  .l'",l('vator. 
-  Co. 
Co. 

;t  and  Hotel. 

...HaUery. 

. .  .Hanker. 

Mercliant^:. 

Klonr,  etc. 

oollen  ]?i>gH. 

]).  U. 

..  .Ih-ickh-. 
{(i[M!  Mould- 
in  <j. 
frs.  Fiirn'iT. 
Pat.  MedV. 
IS  and  Shoes. 
Rial  Estate. 
.15auker.-?. 
cy,  (iro.,  etc. 
.Bunkers. 


T- 
T- 

r- 

'I'- 


H.  () Ueill  Kstille. 

K.  \-  Co Till  riulii,  .)a- 

(lUillied  iJoodn,  etc. 

■  M  rs.  K Siilooii. 

HroM Filter  Wells,  etc. 

•  \V.  i*i;  Co Wood  and  Coiii. 

■  Hroa.  iV  \V .Drii^d  Fruits,  «!tc. 

tV  S ilolel. 


V- 

W 

W- 

w- 
w- 

w 
w- 


N i"^  Co l''leviitors. 

-  S.  .1 Ueal  K.siute. 

-  J.  iV  Hro I'laniiiH^  Mill. 

-  V Co Vcast. 

-  I),  ii  Co.  ..Whol.  and  Uel.  Mil- 

liiirry. 

-  '1' Ueal  Kstale. 

-  'J'.  I*;  Co .Vrlilicial  Sloiu. 


[TO  u:i  i,u.nti.m;ki). 


ciNorNjNO\;ri,  o. 


.\- 

A- 
.\- 
.\- 
.A- 

.\- 
H- 
15- 

15- 
|{- 

H- 
iJ- 
H- 
H- 
15- 
U- 
li- 

n- 


—  w 


.M Hoots  and  S]loc.^. 

SimmIs,  etc. 

i: 

iV  Co.  .  Watclies,  .Icwelrv,  i^tc. 

.  T.  iV  Co Coni'ii'j).  (i. 

C.  .  .  .Distiller  and  Iv.sfiici!  of 

ColTei'. 

.  K I).  0. 

S.  iV  Co.  Hats,  Caps  and  Kins. 

15.  &  Co.  ..  .Stoves  and  Iloiis(! 
J''iirii'.!^  (ioods. 

. .  ..'riiincr,  Uooliiiir,  (^tc. 

'.  iV  ( 'o Ladies'  and  (iciits' 

l'\irn'fjc  <iood-(. 
Co Hankers. 

iV  Co Chemical  Works. 

Ftirnitnre. 

\V.  iV  Son Pianos. 

.  X.  &  Co Cliairs. 

L— Wild.  1).  (i. 

,  iV  Co \\'ii(d.   liii|iiors. 

..V  Son Iji(|uors. 

Sons ( 'ordai^t'. 

Saddler. 

i'oik. 

Notions. 

Winces,  (!tc. 

II Whol.  Wall-jmper. 

. .  ...Mnfr.  IMush  and  Frinf.^rs. 

!1.  k  Co (iro. 

I' House  Furn'jr  (ioods. 

(J.  k  Co Hankers 

Flour  .Vill. 

H .  .  .Conl'r.s  and  Huildt-rs. 

Com'n  Hoots  and  Shoes. 

Smokers*  Materials. 

W Distillery. 


('_ —  ],__ — .  ,v  (',1. .  .Pork  Packers  and 

Com'n. 

('--       l)ii).;.  iV  .^I lni|iorlinfj 

.\yents  \A\rf  (lood^. 

C—  W.  15.  \-  Co Stationery,  etc, 

C li.  W.  I'v  Co Pulilisjicrs. 

C- — '1' Wines. 

C 1).  i^  C(. .Mntrs.  Shops. 

C 15.  iV  S.iu   <iro. 

C— ^  .1.  (I Hoots  and  Shous. 

C C Co. 

('_(• [.' Co. 

C F A 

C S W 

C F.  &  Hro (jucenswaro. 

(' l> _  (J \V Co. 

(' ,1.  S.  \'  Co. .  .  Ilorlicultiirists,  etc. 

(; I', ^,  Co Mnfrs.  Shoes. 

(' i;.  0^';  Co ijumlii^r. 

(" !■'.  .\ l)nij,'s. 

D—  15 I' S &  K Co. 

I) 1.  A.  rV  Co.    .  .Ovsters,  Fi.sh,  etc. 

1) ■  W.  &('o ". Spice  .Mill. 

I) &  .\ Whol.  and  Hei. 

•Music,  ete. 

]) K.  M (li-o.  and  Tobacco. 

1) (f.  T Whol.  ..Jewelry,  etc. 

]) li Hooks,  etc. 

I) 1).  H Uan,i;es,  et<'. 

I) 1.  T.  iV  Co ...Coal. 

1) W (iro. 

H E.V I'aint. 

F &  .M Paperhan;rinjrs. 

F ( ).  B.  &  Co Pork. 

F li.  &.  Co I'rod.  and  ( 'oin'n. 

F A Dru"H. 


w 


m 


m 


:':\>  n- 


t;'! 


I';-.;  ,ii. 


1111  ^l^ 


288 


TlIK   COMMKUCIAL   A(iKNCIi;.-'. 


V A.  a.  W.  A:  Co Tol).  mill  ("Iflr. 

1.' r.  \V.  \  (• Com'n. 

F 11.  II.  i\i  Co Coiii'ii  luid  Cdul 

l''.li'V(itor. 
F 1) Cmrkcr  Hiiluny, 

V K.  ,1.  &  Co Hoots  mill  SliniH. 

F .1.  I'\  &  Co,  .Slici'iiskin  TmiiKTH. 

F \V.  H.  &  iJro Slii'i'pHkiii 

Tmiin'rH. 

F 1 Miifr.  I'lipiT  Ci.llars. 

F n.  ^-  \V Clolliin^'. 

F I.  <' Saw  Mill  mill  IjiinibiT. 

(.1 J Kiiiicy  ( iooil.s  mill  Si'liool 

IJooRh. 

0 1 Colli. 

(J 1.  iV-  W Iloti'l. 

(i .1.  11.  iV  C I'ork  I'lickcih  mill 

Coiii'n. 

1) Coni'ii  .Mcr. 

II &  Co. . .  .Com'n  Mi^rH.,  vie. 


(}- 
(J- 
(»- 
G- 
(J- 
(1- 
(i- 
(1- 
(J- 
O- 

a- 

(j- 

G- 


G- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
11- 

II- 
II- 

II- 
II- 
H- 

n- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 

IT- 

I- 
J- 


-II 'rubucco  and  (^i^^avH. 

-&  W ClotliinjLf. 

-  &  Co W'inf'H  anil  Liq. 

-J   Gro.,  Fri'il,  et(!. 

-  C.  C Coni'n  liiinilKM". 

-  M Clii^ap  Notions. 

-  P. .  .' Fancy  GooiIh. 

-  W.  i\:  Co Hcllin;r  mi<l  Mnfrs. 

Unislu'H. 

-  M Iron  Works. 

-  .M.  iV  ( 'o MiifrH.  llardwaro, 

etc. 

-  (i.  II.  .*;:  V I'nili'rtiikfrs  and 

I/ivcry  Stable. 

-  II.  iK:  Co C'oni'n  Mith. 

-JO.  It <'i)al. 

-A Hoots  and  Shoes. 

-J 1 ).  G .,  Notions,  ctii. 

-II.  1! Itectifier. 

-A Clotliing. 

-  S   H.  iV  Co.  .  .  .I'rod.  and  Com'n. 

-  II.  I\  &  Co Pork  and  Heuf 

Packfirs. 

-  ,1.  A liooliii;^  and  Pavin;,'. 

-  M Lookiii^f  ( ilassr.s  and 

Kranies. 

-  S.  \V.  \-  i!ro 'Mnfrs.  Cigars. 

-  H . ^Voollen  Ha<xs. 

-  Hros Wliol.  liiiinors. 

-  &  M Furniture. 

-A Mnfr.  Window  Ulinds. 

-  (i (Jen'l  Com'n. 

-  11.  it  F Mnfrs.  Cigars. 

-A Pictures  and  Frames. 

-  K Hooks,  etc. 

-  (i.  &  Co Hoots  and  Shoes. 

-  F.  F ( "arriages. 

•  A.,  Jr Hides,  etc. 

-  k  A Mnfrs.  Hags  and 

Sacks. 

-  B &  Co Prov.  Brokers. 


J N.  S. Hroker. 

K &0 C (  o. 

Iv S.Ac  Sons Cotton  HrokcrH. 

K S.  it  Co Whol.  l/KiuorH. 

K A.  A:  Co Di.stillcis. 

Iv Hros Hook.s  and  Stut'v. 

K Mrs,  M Hot."]. 

K .1.  F Coal  Agent. 

K K.  .V  Co Com'n. 

K T.  |{.  iV  Co Seeds  mill 

Ag'l  Im|diH. 

K — --(i.  F,,  .Ir Gro, 

K T.   F.  k  Co.  .Step  Ladders,  ete. 

K 1».  C.  iV  Co Tar  and  Uooling 

Matt^riulH. 

K K.  it  Son G,  S. 

K F.  G Mnfr.  Silk  Hals. 

K (J Distiller. 

]j S iV  C Slock  Hrokers, 

li k  \ Muchinery, 

L A.  k  Co Hops, 

li (J.  N Heal  Kstate. 

L K (ient's  Furn'g  Goods, 

Jj S 'rrnnk  Paper  mid  Flags, 

McC U Hides,  Leather,  ete. 

McF (J.  »V  II Notions,  ete. 

McG 1.  J Hotel. 

Mc(} W.  W lewelrv. 

Md M Gaslitter. 

M .1.  11 Hoots  and  Shoes. 

M 'I'.  T....() C H Co. 

M k  Hros 1).  G.  and  Cariiets. 

M—  A.  W Whol.  Cigars,  etc. 

M W.  .  . , Hats  and  C'a])s. 

M S Hoots  mid  Shoes. 

M k  Co Clothing. 

M .M iS:Co Whol.  I).  (J. 

M W.  1) lainilier. 

M 11 Mnf.  Syrups  and  Soda 

Water. 

M K Map  and  Hook  Piib'r. 

M 1.  F Huilder. 

M A.  B.  \-  Co Whol.  and  Uet. 

Drugs. 
M V — —  A:  Co Mnfrs.  Lead 

Pi])!'. 

M W.  k  .1.  C .Io\voller,«. 

M k  I) Wliol.  Gro. 

M .1.  B Machinery. 

M 1.  M.  iV  Co Whol.  Paints. 

M K.  K Coiu'n. 

M II.  &  Co Whol.  Liquors. 

M— M • Leather. 

M H Furniture, 

M J.  II.i\:Ci) Printers  and 

Stat'rs. 

M A Stoves,  Tin,  etc. 

M C.  H Pubr. 

M T.  -I Fancy  Goodf . 

M &  Son WLol.  and  Uet. 

Clothing. 


'I'm:   SVSTK.M    KXI'OSKU. 


. .  Hroki'V. 

I  Urokcrs. 

>istillt'iri. 
1(1  Stiit'v. 

.  ...n.)i."i. 

ml  Atcfiii. 
. .  .('oiu'ii. 
v'fds  mkI 
['1  Iniiilt.^-. 

(Iro. 

I(l*'rH,  rtc. 
1(1  lioofiiiK 
MiitoriulK. 

(J.  S. 

Silk  lliils. 
.Distiller. 
\i  HrokiTs. 
riiicliiiii'i'v. 
.  . .  .II(i|is. 
■nl  KHtiitc. 
iV  (Idods. 
1111(1  Flii(,'?<. 
;itli(!r,  fic. 
jlioilH,  ftc. 

llot.l. 

.  ..hiwcln-. 

.(liislitt«"r. 

mid  Shot's. 

II <■". 

|(1  C'iiri)t!ts. 

imd  Clips, 
iiid  SIkx'h. 
.Clothiti}^. 
hoi.  I),  (i. 

.Lmiihcr. 

luid  Soda 

)()k  Piih'r. 
.  .Huiklcr. 
1.  and  Het. 
DriigH. 
nh-ti.  Lead 
Pi]).-. 
,Io\vollt'I•^'. 
A'liol.  (iro. 
lachinery. 
1.  I'ainiK. 
.  .Com'n. 
1.  lji(|uors. 
liOathoi'. 
iirniturt-. 
iiiloi'H  and 
Stat'ir. 
p,  Tin,  etc. 
.  .Pub'r. 
icy  Qoodf . 
1.  and  Uet. 
Clothing. 


\- 
.V- 
N- 
N- 
N- 

()- 
()- 
()- 

<)- 
i'- 

1'- 
!•- 
I»- 
!•- 
1'- 
]•- 
I'- 
!•- 

U- 
11- 
U- 
1{- 
11- 
II- 

u- 

u- 

li- 
u- 

S- 

s- 

S- 


S- 
S- 

S- 

S- 

S- 
S- 

S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 


-  II.  (i.  i^:  Co Piildlshiii),-. 

_  K S .M Co. 

-  C.  A.  k  Co Whol.  Drii^H. 

-  II Pork. 

-  \'  II I'ork  PackfTH  and 

Com'n. 
-!•'.. I Hotel. 

-  J.  iV  Hon liiipior.'^. 

-  (}.  I'.  &  Co Aliifr.s.  Scalinj,' 

Wax. 

-  W.  fi  *'<) Icwflry. 

-  Mror*.  iSr  (.'o 'I'ranrtft!!'  Orna- 

nii'iitH. 

-.1.  11 Pulj'r. 

_  I) s Co. 

-  L.  it  <'o     . ..  .I'Moiir  and  Coni'ii. 

-  M  I'H.  M.  >I Not  ioiiH. 

-  M Co Fiirnitiiri'. 

-M Ilol.l. 

-&    S II.   I{.   SllI)lllifH. 

-  \V,  &  Co MraHH  WorkH. 

-  'I',  (f.  \  Cci Tin  and  Siatu 

Koolillfr. 

-  .\.  A W'liol.  lji(|iiorH. 

-- .),  M .Miifr.  Cij^'arn. 

-  Hros.  &  Co.  .  .\\  iiol.  Fancy  (iro. 

-  C.  I-; Hilts  and  Ca|).H. 

-  F.  .1.  ilv:  MroH Cliair  I'actory. 

-  J.  (f Mcr.  Tailor. 

-.V  P T C . 

-  15.  H Com'n,  Tailor  and 

i).  U. 
_  \V Co. 

-  (i.  I i.imc,  Cement,  etc. 

-  Tj.  II.  iV  Co Salt,  Urain,  etc 

-  ,1,  F Printer. 

-  \V.   II.  &  Co Whol.  ami 

liet.  Hiit.s  and  Caps. 

-  (' Fancy  (iood.s  and  Paper- 

liangintTH. 

-  C AVliol.  Iii(iiiorH. 

-i\:  II Whol,  Till   ami 

Fiirn'f^  (iood.s. 

-  F •  &  Co ^Vhol.  LiqiiorH. 

-  A.  &  Co Maltsters'  and 

I5r(!\verd'  SiipplieH. 

-  &  A <  i  ro. 

-  J.  T.  &  Co llattors  and  I'lir- 

rier.s. 

-  J.  W.  &  Co Iron  Uridines. 

-A Boots  and  Shoes. 

-  A.  L Piih'r. 

-  L.  1) Printer. 

-  F.  &  Co Com'n  Mers. 

-J.&J.  &Co WHiol.  I).  O. 

-  V Whol.  Boots  and  Shoes. 


S — 

S— 

s- 
s- 
s- 
s- 

S- 
H- 
S- 

S— 

s- 

S- 
S— 
S— 
S- 
T- 
T- 
T- 
T- 

T- 

T- 
']'- 
T- 
'J'- 
T- 
T- 
T- 

r- 
^v- 

^v- 
w- 
w 
w- 

W- 

\V- 

w 

W- 

\v- 

W- 

\\- 
\\-- 

\V- 
\V- 

w 
\\- 

W- 

w- 


.1.  A I),  (i. 

!i.  N.  iV  Co Whol.  <  'aiidies. 

W.  H.  \-  Co hoitery. 

i^  Co < 'oiu'm. 

K S Co. 

H.  W.  it  Co I'iil)'rH  HookM. 

.1.  A:  Co Ii^welrv. 

{• I».  (i. 

iV  N . .  .  .Saw  .Mill  and  Liim- 

her. 
NV.  II. . .  .Cnr[)(Miter  and  Builder. 

.1 1''erlili/er^. 

F.  \'  Bro WJKil.  Iii(piors. 

I.  P.  \  Bro Wliol.  Clo..  etc. 

T Pork  and  Beef  Packer. 

<i Iii(|iiors. 

■  II.  J Mnfr.  I, ac.!  Collar,-. 

•  Bros Miil'rs.  Shoe". 

■  .1.  I(.  iV  Sons. . .  Wool  and  Com'n. 
&  A Mnfrs.  Phi^r 

iind  Twist  Toliacco. 
W.  II.  .V  ('(....WIiol,  Millinery, 

etc. 

■I \N'hol.  Hats  and  Capn. 

F.  I!.  W Wli.,1.  heaf  Tol). 

.1 Leather  Beltinu-,  etc. 

iV  V . . .  .Awning's,  Tents,  etc. 

■  M Mnfr.   Ca[is. 

.l.M.  &Co |{,  K.  Brokers, 

L iV  Co I),  (i, 

-S M A Co, 

-  F ( 'iitlery  and  Opticians' 

<  foods. 

-  S I),  (i. 

-  I Co, 

-  C,  S,  .V  Co I),  <i. 

-A Mnfr.  Ciyars. 

-  ( i Boots  and  Shoes, 

-  S B Co. 

-  &  J Brewers. 

-  II Liiniher. 

-  II.  L.  iV  Son Furniture, 

-  iV  W Leaf  Tobacco, 

-  i't  (.' P C(j. 

-  F Furniture, 

-  F.  Jr.  &  Co BankeiH. 

-  M Wiiol.  Clothiiii.'. 

-  S Hides,  etc, 

-  ,\.  iV  Co Hides,  etc. 

-  W.  II Fancy  Cioods, 

-  iV  Co Printers  and  Bind(!rs. 

-  C Sealinfj  Was,  etc. 

-  II ..S:  Co. .  .Com'n  I).  (1.  and 

Cottiin  Buyers. 

-  '1'   W Com'n  Iron  Pipe. 


[to    be    CONTINVnU] 


ilTMr 


^1* 

i     1 

m 

-.!') 


IHK   COMMKUCIAI,   AOK^'f.'llvi, 


(JJ.EVKLAM)    O. 


A- 

A 

A- 

A- 

A- 

A- 

A- 

l^• 

H- 

ir 

H- 
It 


H- 

|{- 
I'.- 
15- 

!!- 
Ji- 
il- 
I?- 
I?- 
I!- 
15- 
H- 
15- 


C- 
(*-. 

(' 
C- 

(;- 
<•- 

C- 

(' 
(•^ 

C- 

('- 

C- 

c,- 


.  1, (•,,.  ■  (V 

.  N I).  (I.  (• 

-  N -IJixitH  mill  r^liocH.    ■  (.'- 

-  M c...  I 

.  II \-  ('„..(  V.iil,  I'i:'  IruM,  <•!(:.  (' 

k  I) lJrii;,'rt.  1)- 

I' (•,,.  I  D- 

.  \V .\-  Cr.    AK'-nts.  I> 

.  &  (' Wliol.  Conrir.  I) 

■  ('.  S    <  "ill.  J)- 

■  M iJn'Wi  r. 

r.   I. Wlidl,   Iwiiils  and  li'-t. 

<  i  I'l. 

■Mrs.  ,M.  < '. ..  liooKs  !u;il  NotiunK. 

(i.  ('.  .V  Co I 'oil;  I'arluiH. 

■k    Co Wnoil.-h    .Mill. 

•  C.   If.  iV  C<i Clutliiii;:  Jiiiii  I' 

l''i:rir!f  (JuorlH.    I   ]-'- 
.M.  iV   Co Ciihiiii'tiiikrH.    '  F- 

•  )'     \\ I'l'ihKT  IUKI    I'llbli.-llCT.     '     I''- 

■  W.   E.  .  .  ..Miilr.  I'lit'-nt.  Sjioriinj^  I'-- 

ISoiits  iiiiil  tSli;|  -  liiiddiT.-s.  ( ; 

.  M     -     A;  I'. KoMiidiy.  <i 

.  }■'.  I,.  iV,  Co I'mii'i. 

,1.  M i";iiicy  (iooil,^.  (< 

A (iro,  ii lid  Saloon.  <r- 

.  C    -Co.  (f- 

•  W .  iV.  Co i>rooiii'<. 

.11 ,VCo.  .  .  .Mid.s,  I'.-lt^,  ctr,  (I- 

-  I'.io-* !io(ik.-<i'lli'rK,  cti-.  (<- 

.  M.  iVCo Whol.  and  If.Mail  (J  - 

■fill .Wliol.  (iro,  luid  Ccjin'n,  II 

•  liroM.  .  .i'hnrdii-rs  mid  (iiisfiitiT-.  II 

.  ,1.  II \\liol.  .\Il!lin<r.v  and  II- 

Slrii  w  (iood-i.  II  - 

.  C.   15.  . PiDil.  and  Coin'n.  If- 

.  (} ,v.  (' Co.  II- 

.  I' Co,  I  f 

.(• llot.l.  II 

•  A.  &  Co    VNIiol.  and  {{.tail  ll 

Mook.MidlfTH  and  Staliorn'iH.  II 

!•: Clotliin^r.  II- 

•  '\.  W Mnfi-.  Cli,.u;ii','  (niiM.  II 

O Co. 

■  k  li — — .Iiiunt)  I'ixtiiic.s,  Oils  •t'-,  II 

l.r.  K 


S ^  (  o Coal. 

O Jcwcili-f. 

11.  A.  vV  (<> .MnfiH.  Stuv(! 

.loiMliii''  MacliincH. 


.\. 


.Cro'k 


Iv 

!•; — 

|.; 

|.; 


.1 


.1. 


W.  V.  .W'liol.  Liq    and  \'ini".rHr 
li.  &  SoiiH \Vh(d.  Coal. 


•ry. 

.I..I Miok.T. 

r .  liooi  and  SliMi;  Mkr. 

C.   II.  ,V  Co ;"^lonf  (iiiiurv. 

N -  ■  i*;;Co Ay'l  lu)\,\i^. 

J.  \-  C, I'j.'iniin.r.^  and  Wall- 

paprfr. 
A;  S Ihffd  wan:. 

MrOH \V  llol.    l,ic|l|i;|H. 

C <'o. 

A i'linfi-.is  and  I'nh'r.y. 

'  > -Saloon. 

.\I  —     ( ■,, '••I reel   l.ainp^i. 

W.  i'\  it  Co W  Im.I.  Conf.-c. 

iV  \V- — <•.,:•!. 

.1.  I' Colli,   (HO.  and  Salo. 

S.   II.  .V  l>.   I' Wl.ol.  l.i(lno;^. 

'i' l.'iidfTtakiT. 

.1.  11..^  C„ MnfiH.  (Ji-oii)id 

( 'o(T('v.-i  and  SpiccH. 
A.  II.  iV  Co.  .  .  ..Mnl],^.  I)ni(.'-;,'isl!J. 

I— —  \\ Macliininf..M. 

.J.  ll.i'c  A.  H Ciiirk.T  and 

ISisrnit  HakciB 

.J lioolcr. 

.1.  i''.;  Co I).  <i.  and  NolionK. 

M I'.'UK  y  (loods. 

.1,  \V.  i*^  Son.  .  .  .Ship  Clnmdli'i.'i. 

I'.  A.  iV.  ( 'o I'rinlcrH. 

I",,  i!,  kCo I?mik<TK. 

<i.  I] .Miirldi'  C^narrirH. 

A I''ancy  (ioodn. 

it  M W'liol.  I'lirniniii'. 

II.  II.  iV  Co \\  liol.    l/upioiH. 

liroH Ci,  rria;r''inkrH 

A.    S.  I''    --  Co. 
K I <  ,,. 

.1.  N FnriiKiirf!. 

II Mnwcr- 

M.  li Itiiriiin;^  Flnid  and 

LanipM. 

II.  i: D.ntiHt. 

!•'. .^Iusi'•al  instfi.  and  l''aniy 

(iDf)!!.-*. 

C.  S.  &  Co. ,  I'lavoring  KxtructH. 


TIIK   SYSTEM    I.  a  I'OSKI), 


'Ml 


K 

K- 

K 

K 

K- 

Ir- 

L- 
L- 
L- 
li- 
li-^ 
L- 


—  MrB.  I,.  V.  k  Son.  Jl- 

—  I).  J.  &  Co. .  .  ..Mnfrn.  CarrintroH.  11- 
--  II,  M.&Co I»rint(,'iH.  li- 

—  A.  K liodlH  iukI  SliocM.  U- 

_  &(; M ('« AxlcH.  K- 

—  S (t  Co.  ...MnffH.  Nut  BultH. 

—  I.  &  *.'a) Hrcwi^rH.  li- 

—  M Clotliiiif,'.  I 

—  H Furnitun^and  Crockery.  H-- 

—  VV HootH  uikI  Sliocs.  U- 

—  (i.  if.,  Jr (iro.  iuid  Kruit,  l{- 

—  I.  M l'ii{).;r  Stock  and  ()I<1  H- 

.M.ftaiH.  U- 

L I).  W Wines  and   Liii.  i  S- 

It U.  'I'.  &  Hon.  .  .   Coiii'ii  and  Prod.  !  H— 

M(;C A.  C SnlcH  and  Coiu'n.  j  S— 

iMcD i'\  a.  &  Co..  .  Wliolo  Coal  and  S- 

Iron  Ore.  S-~ 

McN &  C M Co ... .  Hri'i<r,;  S- 

an<l  Car  Hiiild(trH.  S— 

McN P   Uuilder.  H- 

McX E.  M. . .  .Tolmcco  and  Cii^iirH.  S— 

M .1.  &  Co.. .  .Clotliin;^  and  Fiirn'g,  >S-- 

M (• Co.  T- 

M C iV  Co Pliinit)in;;,  <JaH-  'I'- 

liltini,' ami  i''iiriiace.H.  T- 

M &A Clolliitij,'.  C- 

M A.  .M .Marhle.  V- 

M 1'' .Mnfr.  'i'msses. 

.M &  H liars  and  C(i|.h.  \V 

M    - A 'I' C     — .  VV 

M A.  II.  .VCo .MnfrH.  Files.  \V 

N K Co,  W- 

N (; J.; A .  \V- 

N M Ciotliint,'.   I  VV- 

O L I Co.  i  W 

P F.  II .Madiinerv  Oil-,  ete.   i  W- 

P— -  k  I A I M- (•>,.    :  \V- 

P T  &  P Co.  i  \V 

V  \V.  K Claim  Aj^ent.  j  VV- 

P  II.   O Saltx.ii.   I  W 

P- II.  O..V<'o liilliardSuUjon,   j  W- 

It J.   .1 Cooperajre.    i  W- 

K II i^:  Co.  .  .  I'laniiijf  and  ShhIi  I  V- 

Factorv.    I 


A . . . 
iV  A 
A . . . 
J ' — 


I 
A.&(i. 


1).(J. 

.  .Iron  and  (ien'l  Coni'n. 

(jiro, 

( ■(.. 

. .  W'liol.  and  I{et.  Fancy 
(Joods  and  .N'<iti()nH. 

—  M.  &  Son .Miifrs.  Ci^^rarn  and 

'I'oljacco. 

—  A:  W Coin'n  liUinljor. 

K.  W Hoots  and  ShocH, 

—  \V.  U Hoots  and  SlioeH. 

—  If.  <J.  &  Co,  .  .  .Hoots  anil  Shoes. 
J.  P Pork  Packer. 

—  J.  W .Mirrors,  Frames,  etc. 

—  .'\.  .M Druf^'s. 

—  A <  'loiliin;^, 

—  S I).  <J.  and  XotioiiH. 

—  .Mrs.  II.  I) .Mijlj.u<;r, 

—  S.  II.  iS;  <  'o Liunlier. 

—  P Coniructor. 

__r H — _('„. 

—  II.  S Sta;,'e.s. 

—  I! Dentist,. 

—  it  T .  .Sliine-ie.-j,  Koofiiiir,  etc. 

—  S.  Sr Hides  and  Woid. 

__..  &  M Pianin-.Mill. 

—  I___..  W Co, 

—  K.  II.,  Sons  (V  ( 'o VVliol.  No- 

tions, (iro  ,  etc. 

.1 <  'lotiiintf. 

•   ,\ (iro. 

—  -  T .V  Co Planinjr  .Mill, 

.\.  iV  Son (iro. 

■—  .1 S'oves  and  Tin. 

I).  C Sioek  Hrokor. 

.,'.  II lioois  unil   Slioofl. 

— —  .)    . .  W'litclininker  and  .leveller. 

.1 (iro.  and  H'siniUi, 

1,  .\,  .V  Co .\Infrs.  'lol). 

11.  \,  Co IJankerH, 

\V Pluinlx.T  and  (iaslitUir, 

.S_ —  M Co. 

(>.  &  Co Pai)cr, 

—  C Browor. 


■■4.,., , 


[to  be   I  ONTI.M.KI),] 


2-12 


'IIIK    COMMKltClAI,    AGK.NCIKS. 


cotjimp>t:s.  o. 


A A Jfrwolrv  iitid  Clotliiri^r. 

A I>.  I' .' DiiitfK. 

A —     S.  A:  Co ri.,il,iiitr. 

A tV  F Clot  hi  11^'. 

A .1 Sliito  Uoofcr.  I 

A I',    li.  iV  ( 'o C(,i  ui'rcH,  Stoves, 

iiii'l  'I'iii. 

li I,.  M.  .V,c,, MiHiiKiy. 

H .J    Miifr.  Cif(!iiH. 

1?  K.  (V  II.  K Ciiiriii^^iuiikrH. 

|{ ,v  II .  .  .  Whol.  (iro.  imd  Mcj. 

( ,' A Li:  III  her. 

<! ('.  C h'tirniiiiri!. 

C; II.  II Mnlr.  Iron    Im'ikc.h. 

<■; K.  I{ Coal  null  Cok.'. 

(; 1.  H DniKH. 

I) I-.  I) (iio. 

I' —    .1.  A.Stovi'f',  il'wiii'i' mill  Siiloon. 

!<' (i.  H.  &  Co (iro. 

F cV  McC Colli. 

F__fc  I> |m.,.,|. 

V Mr-    11 C|.,iiiiM{r. 

a 11.  C (in.. 

a ,1.  1/ .Mnlr.  I'IomkIim,  <:U:  . 

0 J.    A <    Ir.lllillf,'. 

<i~ —   I 'ioliiiiiK. 

JI .\I Arcliit.-.i. 

H 11 <'lot,liiiiK. 

If  .1.  I'".  I'vCo...  .I'iiiiio.s  uikI   Miisif. 

II  C Co.  I 

II 1, liootH  iiinl  Sliocs.   ' 

H (■ 'iro.  mill  Saloon,  i 

H I'' Toliu'-'o  iinil  <'i/^firH.  | 

If C Mcr.  Tailor. 

If <i I'lOotH  anfl  Slioi'H.  , 

H AS I'uncv   I).  fi.,<rtr.   I 

J— -T.  A ."...'., (.....-tr.   , 

J  I Notiotm. 

,1 MrH.  J.  I'l I'icliiri-  I''raiin-    | 

,1 .1.  T I'"iiriiitur''. 

K I. Cloiliiiifr. 

•K lii  Uro. .    Till  uiiil  SiuviH. 


K C.  T (iro.  nn<l  Saloon. 

K II.  It .NoliollH, 

K Aj  S .MiitrH.    I'.rooiim. 

K A J>.  <i, 

L K.  I).  VV liookH,  ftr 

L »!,  F .Mill 

I, 'I'.o ij ,v  VV VV 

1/ A.  S VarifticH. 

I.  .M liool.M  and   SliocH. 

I, A.  15..    SciilcH. 

M- J lUUfTH. 

M K.  .1 .Mnfr.  Coding. 

M C.  11 Toll,  and  Ci;ziirH. 

N N—  Co.  .  .  .I'holo.  Mal'l.'J,  rtc. 

N VV.  P I'limpH. 

O A A 

i) ().  iV,  Co Siaiioiicrv,  <tc. 

II J{ Macliii,.'  VVorkH. 

|{ I) llooii.'-kirtH. 

|{ .1 raiM-r  and   l'ii|/ci'lian/.M;r. 

S~ — At  II  ...\):''iil.s  •■'liitiiiK  IroiiH. 

H  . —  J-' VV 

H I*.  A:  <  'o I5r'' WITH. 

K — —  M.  k  Son Slaty  and    I'lipi^r. 

K .1.  At  Co I'iaiios  and  .Miinif. 

K .Mrs.  I liootM  and  SIioch. 

H C.  C.  .  .  .Crnn'ii  I,' atlii-r  und  OilH. 

S A Clotliint.'. 

H-         I! I'rod. 

S .).  II I{.  !•;.  A«cnt. 

'!"• II iV  C .  .Coin'n    A^'i'iiry. 

T 'I' ( 'nriaiii  l''aitorv. 

U S.  I Ilotd. 

V \V I'.uild.T. 

W--^"-  I'" (iro.  and  Saloon. 

VV I'" Cont'c.   and  Saloon. 

VV (i.  ,1 Hoots  unci  Sluic'H. 

W ;\.   A     Cllilia,   (illiKH,  (:t(!. 

VV At  I) .Liatlidr  and  l''indinf,'H. 

Z— At.  H (ir<.. 

Z C.  il MdHc.  i5n.krr. 


[to  V.i:  ro.sii.MKi). 


til 


•J'lJK   SV'.S'JKM     EXl'(J^Kl). 


lm;} 


DvVVENPOirr,    lOVVA. 


(1   Sjiloon. 

.  N'llioilH. 
lilnoniH. 

I).  <;. 

DokH,  Cti 

,  ...Mill. 

\V 

V'jiricticH. 

I<1  SlinCH. 
.  .  .ScillfH. 

.  .  hriiirH. 
■.  Coflin.". 
'I  '  'i;_!iirH. 
at  I:;,  rtc. 

.I'linijiH. 


A J FniitH,  (If. 

A O.  <fe   Co 'I'obacfo. 

M J.  \v.  H )').yM<ian, 

15   < ' 'I'<)bin':i:i>,  I'ic. 

C J.  N I'lioto.  Mal.Tial'*. 

f-' •' lioiltH  (UI(1    SIlDCH. 

'' < ' 'ii'iit'.s  Fnrii'if  (iiind.H. 

f' —       M.  15 I'"uniit  lire. 

(y —     it  S — ~    liicjiiorH. 

(■ J.  k  S((ti (Jro. 

I) .Mrn.  |{,  ).; lliiir(i.Ky<J.H. 

K M Co. 

K I' (;r... 

(i II UootH  said  SliofH. 

(i (; |;„„,j<  n,|,|   sii',(;.M. 

a —  j» —  Co. 

a M.  .1 Hats  and  CapM. 

fi I) , (lolcl, 

a —  w („ui. 

H •' IJomIh  and  SIiuih. 

J I ]i ( '„,|,'|,  (iijiiii. 

11 H Ilol.d. 

K &  L lin'w.!r.M. 

K ().   A (iiaiii. 

■• •' '1  Dliaico. 

'^ -I'' IIuriicKH. 


K ,1    ^ H'ivvinf.,'  Macliinff». 

Mrll — -.).  (; ISoot.H  and  Slior^H, 

MrVV K lillild.T. 

.\I J.  II.   &  Co I).  (J. 

M &  ('o (  i.in'li. 

M c.  w.  F i;,.,„„r... 

,M J.  M Klom-  and  Krcd, 

.\j 'I'.  V A^,M  liiipits. 

<' liroH FloriHtH. 

■  * •'•  C Saloon. 

('       -K Ic... 

I' 'I' IfalH,  f.U:. 

i' J.  K (Jro. 

U fi  W 'rol)a(:co. 

" A Confectionery. 

JJ IJ ,SjCo TailorH, 

'• 10.  &   UroH ClothiiiL'- 

•^         ■     •' W'oolJillH. 

S        ■  II.  .M.  fj (ir„ 

'  7  —  •' 'JpliolHt.iTer. 

W  C.  ,V   f',, H'warc, 

W C.  S I).  (J. 

\V 1.  VV (iro. 

vv —  y A^''i  iinpitH. 

'^ i'' lioot.s  and  tSliocH. 


(t'i  111:  '  nsiiM:i;n.j 


T/AYTON,  O. 


A  — 


Ac  15 


.(Jr., 


VV.. 

.Mn 

fi.  .Vf- 

—  ,  .  - 

<■  . . . 

.'  'on  fee. 

fr.  Kite  Kindlir. 
\Miol,  |{.  and  S. 
and  .Ni'vvsd 


/.  1.  A  F.  .M. 


-C,  H. 
—  I).  E 


I'illlT, 


.  Uricktnkr. 

.CaniatT'-H. 


Trad 


er. 

.1).  a 


n- 


.V. 


<- Mnfr.  CifrnTH  iitid  Sah 


•ry. 


A,  &,I S; 


—   11.  II. 


|{ Mrs,  A.  M. 


n- 


I). 
C. 
J. 


MrH.  II.  !•: 


..Milli 
..  .Sal 


w  .Mill, 
itc. 
■ry. 
oon. 


.0 


ro.  aii'l 


I, 

.Coriffi 


'I- 


.Fiinfy  (<c)(;dH. 


mm 

If' 

1  m 

hi 

% 

I/,  ■ 

i 


I  -i 

II  ■" 


.  ;^f  ■ 


■f  n 


244 


15- 


TUE   COMMERCIAL  AGENCIES. 


H- 
B- 
15- 


E- 
V- 
V- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 


-  J Gro.  and  Li(]. 

-  M Uiiildcr. 

-  it  K Miifr.s.  Oils. 

-  W.  (i Mcr.  'I'iiilor. 

-II Gro. 

-  II.  L.  &  Co. .  .Tin  and  JiiiMuiiied 

Wiipo. 

-  J.  II.  &  Co 15oilpriiikr8. 

-  S.  T Stoiicyiird. 

-  ( i BoolH  and  Slioi!». 

-•' I'iv.'.y. 

-  &  P Mer.  'J'liilors  and 

Gent's  Fiirn'j^. 

-  J.  IM.  &  M. Fwdy:  anil  ('oni'n. 

-  15n)8 MnfrH.  Orjiaim. 

-a.  P Hooks. 

-J Who).  hi(iu(irH. 

P Stovi'.s  an<l  Tin. 

-O.  &  Co Mnfra.   and  Piib'rH. 

-J ( jro.  and  R.  E. 

-  W.  L.  &  Son Ii(>atli(r  and 

Findings. 

-  ( ' D &  D ( '.(). 

-  I Co. 

-.).  V.  &Co D.  a. 

-15 O 1 . 

-  1) Brickvurd. 

-J.G Piii)'r. 

-  &  K Mnfre.  Turbinn  Water 

Wlic.'Is. 

-  &  M Mnfrs.  Tools. 

.  i^c  II TailorH. 

-  C.  M.  &  Co. . .  .Mnt'rs.  Extension 

Tables. 
G Boots  and  Siioes. 

I),  a. 

&  Co... Woollen  Fnctorv. 

Huts. 


F— 
G  — 
G— 
G— 

G— 
G— 
G— 
G— 
(i— 
G— 
(J— 


IT- 
II- 
II- 
H- 


■J. 
L 
K 
K. . . 

.1,  &  l}ro Pub'rrtMnfic. 

(J.  II Drngs. 

(J.   II Saloon. 

F Boots  and  Sliocs. 

&  D Builders  and  Car- 

jienters. 
J.  S.&Co Whol.  Drugs. 

■  V Saloon,  etc. 

iV  B Liverj'. 

II.  C.  &  Bro WLol.  (jiro.  and 

Li(]. 

W.  ]Sr Confer.,   etc. 

J Wajjonmkr. 

■  T Carpenter. 

Bros Whol.  Millinery 

W.  (} Gro. 

■  W.   A Agent. 

A.  W Children's  Carriages 

and  Baj-kets. 

-I B.  &  R.,  Hats  and  Caps. 

-J.  B Saddles  and  Harness. 

-  (i.  P (iro. 

•  W Speculator. 


11 W^ Tailor. 

II A.  II Drug.s,  etc. 

II Miss  It Milliner. 

I  II &  II .  .Mnfrs.  Iron  Bailings. 

II &  H M Co. 

H II Gro. 

H W.  II Clothing,  etc. 

H B.   E Notions. 

11 Bros Lumber. 

H B.  H.  &Co Lumber. 

II Z.  T Drugs. 

II J Trunks,  etc. 

II W.  S Auction,  Com'n  and 

I).  G. 

H W ...D.  O. 

J 1.  T Hotel. 

J L.  B.  &  Son Leather  and 

Findings. 

J II.  II..  .WHiol.  and  Bet.  Liquors. 

K K.  S Mer.  Tailor. 

K W.  &  Co Hopemkrs. 

K J Boots   and  Shoes. 

L J    Furnitun>. 

L 1.  T Hotel. 

I &  B Mill. 

L C.  P Gro.,  (;tc. 

L W Saddles,  etc. 

L 15 Clotliiiig. 

L II Tree  Agent. 

L A Stoves  anil  Tin. 

L Bros Whol.  I'liinls,  Oils,  etc. 

L ,1.  () Bool.-  and  Shoes. 

I (i.  15.  &  Co.. .Mnfrs.  Table  Slides. 

MeC &  W (iro. 

Mcl> &  F Marbli  workers. 

Mi'll A. . .  .(,'arpentir  and  liuililer. 

McS D.  E.  &  Co Mnfrs.  Grain 

Drills. 

M &  Ij Whol.  Liipiors. 

M 1.  .L.Mnfr.  Baggin-,  Miller,  etc. 

.M 15 Mnfr.  Brushes. 

M G (iio.  and  Saloon. 

.M S (iro. 

.M ^V (jiro.  and   Liq. 

M W Hii.ker. 

M N Moni.'v  Liiider. 

.M II.  &  Bro Mnfrs.  Hakes. 

N G Pub'r. 

N E (ill).,  etc. 

N A leweller. 

O'N &  D Coin'ii  Ml  IS.  and 

Li  af  Tobacco. 

O M Bet.   Furniture. 

O P B.  and  S,  II.  &  C. 

P P Machine  Agent. 

P II.  F -. Flour  and  Feed. 

P O.  G.  &  Co D.  (i. 

H &  Sons Hides  and  Furs. 

H F &  Co Mnfrs.  Cigars. 

H J Whol.  and  Bet.  Books,  etc. 

H &  D Photo.  Materials. 


THE  SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


215 


U- 

S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 

S- 

«- 
s- 


-  J Buildorand  I'luning  Mill. 

-  <J JSaktM-y  and   Hulooii. 

-  M Flour  iMill  uiul  Saloon. 

■  15 Hotel. 

•M H,,,w,.r. 

C lia'Avvr. 

■  &  1> Drug's. 

-<' IJ.  iiiul  S.,  Hul.H  and  t'ajj^. 

l^r-  W.  li Patent  Meda. 


T- 
'1- 
W- 
W- 
W- 
W- 
W- 
Z— 


-  »•    (' Mnfr.  Rakes. 

"  !•  ^i Stove.H,  etc. 

-H.   F D.  (J. 

-  ''■  15 Nursery. 

-J.  II Marble. 

-A Oro  '.md  Saloon. 

-  !^ ( i  ro. 

A Uruit-s. 


1   \\ 


{to  be  C0NTIJH7ED.] 


DETsTVER,  COL. 


.\ s.  &^Son flothint,--. 

A II.  E Com'n  E^'ks.  (^te. 

15 J Hutcher. 

15 &  II Curriaj^e  I'aintens. 

^ M.  A Restaurant. 

<' W.   J Carpenter,  etc. 

(' VV.  ]).  &  Bro Stock  Dealer.^. 

C E BlkMuth. 

C (".   S (iro. 

^' A Jeweller. 

<■ F Builder. 

E Mrti.  B Millinery. 

F 1 Stock  Dealer. 

F— f Clothing,  etc. 

F J.   If Dru^s. 

F &  Bro Si)orting  (Mh. 

*.i Bro.'i (iyrt 

G 1M> .'..Saw  Mills! 

<^ J Pawnbroker. 

n M (iro. 

II B Tailor. 

II &   B Clotliin-. 

II Bros Soap,  etc. 


II J.  11.  &Co Tailor.'^ 

I'^ t'.  .\.  &  Co Stationery,  etc. 

1' >-^  A Citrars. 

M L.M Il,.tel. 

-'^I A I'niiits,  etc. 

'^I J-  M IIub.s  and  Felloes. 

M J.w ^ Il,„el. 

<-> J.   B Stairliiiilder. 

I' Mrs.  E Milliner. 

1' w.  U.  &  Co Transfer. 

li M.l (Jun.s. 

*^ ■!.  W Jeweller. 

^ 1' Stock  Dealer. 

^ CM Li(|.  and  Tobacco. 

^ •! Confc^ctioner,  etc. 

^ 'I"-  II-  &  Co. . .  .Flour  and  Com'n. 

f'' F-    K Pajier. 

•■^ Mrs Ilai r  ( i„„ds. 

^^' Bros D.  (J.,  CIolllinf,^  etc. 

^V 'V-  W IManinjr  Mill. 

\y~~.h  II Publisher. 

^V \V.  A Tobacco. 


[TO   liE  CONTINUED.] 


i 


1  •■ 


Mil 
W 

M 


240 


Tim  COMMEUCIAL   AGRNCIES. 


X)ETROIT,  MTCH. 


&  Q Coiii'ii. 

S ll'tlwarc. 

(.', 'robaccoH. 

J'i.  0 Ijiimlicr. 

iV  M JiUmlMT. 

.1.  15 CoiitriicltT. 


IJ 1. 


.Hotel 


(1- 
('- 
C- 
V- 

v~ 
('- 
(.'- 
<"- 
(•- 
('- 
(;- 

D- 
])- 
])- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
])- 
1-J- 
K- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
(i- 
(i- 
U- 


A Boots  mid  Sliof.s. 

&  1' (iruti'S,  ftc. 

P.  P CoiilVc. 

k  (i 15(M)k8,  etc. 

■  IJroH (ilo. 

&  K 'i'ninUs. 

11.  15 Dru;rs. 

■  P Brewer,  ele. 

M Broker. 

N Notions. 

T.  &('. (iro. 

('.  &  SoiiH 1).  a. 

J.  11 (Ksters. 

Bnw Hoilerri. 

<i.  (' .' yiiirts,  etc. 

.)    P FIhIi,  ftc. 

1) Tailor. 

J Bakery. 

1).  '1'.  &  Co Litlio(rrii))li. 

W.  II.  &(.'() Coin'n. 

W.  W l.uiuher. 

-J I5re\ver. 

-  it  N Bro wery. 

-  B &  D Co. 

•  B U Co. 

C M . 


N — 


W 


R.U.  Co. 


— Vinerrar. 

&  Co ChanilltMs,  etc. 

-  &  Co Driifj^.-!. 

fi  Co Spices,  etc. 

&  L Co. 


&  K- 
II.  I) 
\V— 
V 

•  s 

B &Co Biikra. 

iV  15ros Furniture. 

ii.  U.  &  Co A<fl.  linpt^i. 

II,  A Dni-s. 

1) L &  W W— . 

A ( I  ro. 

F Spice  Mills. 

•  P  Kopeiiikr. 

■J I.cjrs. 

-U.  A Cual. 


(J- 
(1- 
11- 
II- 
II- 
11- 
11- 
II- 
1- 
J- 
J- 
.)- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
L- 
1^ 


L- 
jM- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 

M 

M 

M 

M 

M 

N 

N 

O 

P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
I'- 
U- 
K- 
R- 
S- 

s- 

s- 

S- 


-  S.  B Vnpsols. 

-c.  K 1).  a. 

-K.  II Bricks. 

-  &  S NotioiiH. 

-  A Clotliiiifj. 

-  BroH.  iV  Co Teas. 

-  &  y Kimiber. 

-  J.  li.  &  Co \'i'Sfieis,  etc. 

I.   \V Builder. 

■C.  15.  &  Co il'dware. 

K.  .Ir H'duaro. 

■  M.  &  Co. . (iruiii. 

-  J.  L Cl(itlnii;r. 

-  P.  it  Co Brewer.s. 

-A.  &Co 1).  (i. 

-  II.  S I'"un\iture. 

-  J.  M Clntliino-. 

-  &  Sons Coiu'n. 

-  &  H .Millinery. 

-  Mr."*.  J Furniture. 

-F (iro. 

-  P Auction. 

-C.  K CloIhinf,^ 

-  U.  &  Son Bri^wer.s. 

-  L &  Co Lumber. 

-  H.  &  Co Shoes. 

-  11.  &  P Sawa. 

-  P.  J Uro. 

-  I' &  K . . .  .Lumber,  etc. 

-J.  &  Co Mchnry. 

-C \l Co. 

W.  &  H Gro..  etc. 


II Brewer. 

F &Co (iro. 

C.  ll.&Co Bkjr  Powder 

(i.  &  Co Cigars,  etc. 

S M &  U Co. 

&  C Lumber. 

i*i  C Furniture. 

&  B Clothing. 

J Vessels   etc. 

&  B Drugs. 

1).  M Matches. 

F Jewell  V    etc. 

M 1).  <i.,  etc. 

J Tailor. 

&B Ship   Hkr.<. 

Bros Builili'is 

T.  W.  &Son Wire   Wks. 

&,  li Cigars. 


THE   SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


247 


S J.  D.,  Sr Pino  LjuuIs. 

S (' Wood  Vnrtl.i. 

S ('.  1) U'dwartj. 

y W.  il Prod. 

S J.  \V Wooden  ware. 

T ]j.  W.  i\:  Co (Jro. 

T Uros Silver  Platers,  etc. 

T W.  K Whol.  Hooks,  etc. 

T &  P Pict.  ]5ookrt,  etc. 

T II &  C (iro.,  etc. 


T- 
T- 
IJ- 
\V- 
W- 
W- 
W- 
W- 
\V- 
W- 


&  D Gro. 

vV  It (Iro. 

■J P Co. 

-J.  D.  &  t;o Bill  Posters. 

-  S.  W.  &  Co (Joal. 

-  .\,  H.  &  Co Lqrs. 

-  V ( '(). 

-c    .M Theatricals. 

-C.  1).  &  Co Midi's.,  etc. 

-  W.  &  Vu Decorutora. 


lU 


[to  r,B  CONTINIKI).] 


DUBUQUE,  lOAVA. 


B M ]?rewer. 

M (J.  W.  \-  Co Hkrs. 

C M Bilker. 

C \V \-  Cci 1).  <r.  and  (iro. 

C \'  \V — - 1).  (i.,  ete. 

C li Real  Estate. 

D J.  L.  &  Co Foundry. 

D S It Co. 

D cS;  \V Apts. 

F .J Flour,  etc. 

a v..  A.  &  Co Jewelry. 

G A I'<ir,-<. 

II A Brewer. 

II Mr.s.  M.  A Hats. 


M- 
M- 
M- 
P- 
P- 
It- 
It- 
It- 
It- 
It- 
T- 
\\'- 
W- 


-  A .(irain. 

-  (f.  II.  iS;  Co Whol.  I).  U. 

-  ,1 Gro. 

S B 

P.  M Clothing. 

Bros.  &  H Crockery. 

W Contractor. 

L.  A Liciiiors. 

,1.  M .  .  .Linnher. 

M.  S Agr'l  InijiltH. 

i*i:  S Brewers. 

-.!.&,  W Ficad. 

-C! t  Co I).  G. 

-  W.  W Hotel. 


[to  be  continued.] 


EOTlPtA,  X.  Y. 


A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
B- 
H- 
B- 
B- 
B- 


■  P.  A Gro. 

.  M.  II Speciilntor. 

.  S.  T CKpiliilist. 

.  S li'weller. 

.  S &Co Oil. 

&  D Fey  GdB. 

W.  A Boots,  ^■Ic, 

&  O Comii, 

.  T  \  Co Brt'wers,  etc. 


—  .1    G H'dware. 

—  Mr-;    F J?oot.s,  etc. 

S      -  Co. 

—  ,1 Carriafjes. 

-(i.  it.  it  <'o      Gro. 

_  \  11 lioots  &  Shoes. 

—  1) iV  Co Notions. 

—  Bros Bull'alo  ltol)es,  etc. 

—  J X  ursery. 


hi  ■ 

w 


J  ! 


•248 


II- 
J- 


M- 
M 

{>- 
It- 


TJIK   COMMKIICIAL   AOK.N'CJEB. 


A I'nxl. 

It JiUiiihi-r. 

-J (int. 

-  fi  W MiifrH.  HootH  uiid 

SIlOfH. 

l{n*H LiijuoiM. 

•  M.  It Li<ju<jrH. 


It I' Iil(JUorM,  <;lc. 

H k  H 

K— --&  II Uunk<rri, 

'1' &is Hole). 

T &.  1' FouiKJry. 

V — -A Miller. 


(to   liK  <  D.NTI.MJBl).] 


■is  IMUS 

11  ;  ■■ 


)■ 


KUIK,   PA. 


I 


S'i 


A 

H 

H 

H 

U 

U 

IJ 

(; — 
(; — 

(; — 
1) — 
I) — 
K 


J ]lf)T  Oardcn. 

A HuildfT  luid  It.  !•;.  \)i:iiU-r. 

r.  A.  &(•<> <iro. 

J HoOtH  II  lid  Sll'M-K. 

K.  It IriH.  Agent. 

J Hotil. 

(J I'iODiH  ;iiid  Sli'M.'M. 

A;  SoiiH Oro. 

I'i HoutH  and  Sli'K'B. 

M ('ujiitfiliHt. 

K.  !•; Iluir  (iDodH. 

(i I).  (J. 

J Ho()tH  uiid  SlionH. 

(i.  &  Co  (iro. 

E (; S H . 


F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
U 

(1- 

(J- 
(J- 
II- 
II- 


II- 
II- 
II &  K 


I' HuriKh't^. 

<» <.'uiTiii;(i)  'rriiiiiiier. 

J Coal  and  Wood. 

II Clotililijr. 

M.  .  .  .Noti(jijH  and  ISucond  liand 

'io<i'!n. 

J.  &  Co (Jro. 

I Co. 

J Saloon. 

It.  C Store. 

J.  K (Miurcli,  Si'liool,  and 

Hall  Furniture. 
&  M— - — . .  .I')iyn'nH  ami  Drufrf. 


I Hotel. 

'I'ailorH. 


H 

H- 

.)- 

J-- 

K- 


.M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M 

N 

N- 

It- 

s- 
s- 

S- 

s- 

s- 
s- 

K- 
T- 
V- 


-  C.  N.  . .  .Oro.,  Huilder  and  Con- 

Iruetor. 

It.  (J Hotel. 

W Hleucliery,  et<'. 

II Biiil.iei-. 

M.  H Hotel 

A Miillhter. 

-  L.  iV  (<.  . .  .HatH,  <jenirt'  Furn'j^, 

etc. 
•F Hotel. 

-  'I'.   &i  Co Hardware. 

-  '1'.  P lt<  hiuiiiiint. 

-  \V,  T HrugH. 

-  k  M Clothinf.'. 

-<'.  H Flour,  etc. 

-  C.  F S .M Aj,'i. 

-II <iro. 

-  A  .  .Kanlie.s,  IJlindH  mikI    Hiiildir. 

-  k.  C — -- J  link, 

-  S.  .M Huilder. 

-J.  |{.  &Co HilliardK. 

lW<i» D.  C. 

I'" Hiower. 

\V (iro. 

.1    (  lothing. 

A NotioiiH. 

K.  F Puldihher,   etc. 

.1.   H Jewelrv. 

T k  S Coal. 

.MiK.  S.  A .Millinery. 


[to  IIB  (.O.NTI.MISn.l 


'VllK   HYHIKM    KXl'O.SKJi. 


24!i 


^ii 


evansvilij:,  inu. 


I 


A &  Co Scwitif^  Mafiliiiicf. 

A F.  A Iloi.l. 

A J liool ;',  etc. 

A C.  &  Co I''iiriiiliin;. 

U (1.  I.  k  r„ A<r'\  liiipl'iH. 

M II.  ().  iV  ("o Ak'I  Iiiipl'iM. 

JJ ).  I{.  k  Co A;;']  Itiiid'tn. 

U II.  V.  k  Un. Wlio).  I,i<). 

]{- —  A.  iS.  •  u <Jiiii_ffr  Ale. 

]{ iJ (JUhMwiirir. 

IJ II.  A;  C.i CloiliH. 

("-^ —  N.  I''.  A;  Cu .I/u)ii')iH. 

C A.  k  VV Jkk.TH. 

1> I',    k   tSoil SoilpH,  OilH,  itc 

K— --  II J.;w(,-ll.;r. 

H M <' 

V T iJnots,  «•!<•. 

(i^ — — .  J SaiiKUf;<'H. 

(i J,  (' liihuraiitf;  A''l. 


(» H Aurtioni.M^r. 

(J T.  .1 I'rii.i..-r. 

II- &    (/—— LilJIiOIH. 

H a <Jro. 

.1  II  k  Co I).   <i. 

L  -    -J.  A Iloi.l. 

M k  K IJo<jlil/m'icr.s. 

M A:  I' O.  (i.  iiii'l   <Jro. 

M 1) I'liVHiiiiun. 

,M  -^      J.  k  iiio SumIiVh,  «;t(;. 

N  .J Saloon. 

R—      F <iro. 

(^__—  ,1    (J 'rohiicrollist. 

fs 'r.  ('.  k  Co (  ^illiiiiif^bioii. 

K <' Saloon. 

S ,1 Fork,  l/njuorH,  etc. 

S — —  k  Sonr^    Livi;i ;v  .St a  1)1  c\ 

S .M iin^wiry. 

V\'    -     S Lumbi-r. 


w 


I ' : 


[to   jii;   ( oN'riNi.'Ku.l 


'■ .  r 


rALL   lilVEJi.  MASS. 


A— 
H— 
H— 

n— 

H— 

B- 
C— 
C— 
C- 
D  - 
E- 
V- 
F— 


—  J.  \V BwtH  mihI  Slio.H.  H S. 

—  I).  W l-iiniituiv.  11 F, 

—  J.  O.  &  Co Whol.  I'riiitis  ai,i|  II K. 

(Jro  II- 

_  II Tailor,  I,- 

__  (; ]M I'lintH.  L 

—  L.  &SonH Fi-h  Oil.  I,- 

—  k  n — fi,o.  .\  - 

—  N k  I) .Miliv  li 

—  F.  I) Sasli.S,  .tr,  |{ 

—  M Miller  and  Hh-adi.r.  U  - 

—  (i I).  O.  S- 

__  M— -  k  Co IJak.TH.  T- 

—  K < ; to.,  (;tn.  W 


(i F 


.'.-  Son Hot<;l. 

1' I>.  O.,  <:\r. 

.\I Bricks,  <;tc. 


H. 

—  '1'. 

—  M- 

—  K. 


k  \\ I'uiiiiiuh-. 

K Mnfr.  Wati.Tpioof.s,  lU;. 

.\I.  k  Co   Clotliin;.^. 

...  ..Mritr.  Hla'kin/,  f;l<'. 

I-" Roll  Covi^rcr,". 

V.  S Cotton. 

K Drugs. 

'iro. 

— ClotliK. 

(iro. 

.M  — (JlolhH. 


.v.  r 


.SiMNin;r  .Ma<hin(;H.    ' 

[to  be  c<jntinukd.] 


i:;»0 


'jiij';  coMMKicciAi.  a<;k.\(;ijvS. 


GALVKS'I'ON,  TKXA 


s 


A iV,  M Coitr.ii  Fii.torM. 

A iV  liiK. . .  .Il;,t  •,  ('!i|m  unci  Situw 

A (' UJHiur.N. 

U — —  &  1) ('oin'ii. 

U H   Icw.il.r. 

Jj MiH.  M    (iro. 

H T WuKl.nikr. 

H K Wat.limki-. 

H il.  .1 So;i|i   Kiicloiy. 

II .1.  iV  Sun <  'diu'ii. 

H |{ Itchtiiuniiit. 

H 1.  \V I'lil.V 

H &  K •  oiii'ii  M't.-^. 

H &  J'] I'liriiiiiii'i-. 

(' (' |).   ti.  lUill    Ni.tiollM. 

(• A.  II It,  !•:.   liiukir. 

(' II.     A,,     IjIH;..    iV    <  ■<).  llO)l     i''(llllll|r\  . 

C At  15 <  ''(in'ii. 

1) o.  11 I'ul/r. 

I) (i.  H Suloon. 

1) &  M S<)!i|)  l'"!i(:t.i)iy 

K \y,  ,\.  iV  ('.-.  .  .lli<Ns  sui.l  Wool. 

K (■         'I'.u-. 

V ('.  I'" l!ij<)kl/iii(l<-r. 

F F Tuil.ir. 

(J A ,  II .S:  I—    A 

(i A.  ('.  i^;  Co. .  .<'(iii(,ii  Bus  iiH  iiinl 

<  'diu'ii. 

(J (', Siiddlcr. 

O MiK.  K Confcc. 

(i T I  ,i< j  uolH. 

(i T l.-W.rll.T. 

(i 'I" Cotton  liiivcr. 

(i '1' Hotel. 

H 1'.  II (iro. 

II 1.    ]| I'ubliKll.T. 

II 1 <;ro.  uikI  (iri-t  Mill. 

11 ']'.  F liiiilder,  ,-U:. 

11 I Mook.s. 

I 1.  H l)riif(.H. 

J MrH.  11 Un-hsinkr. 


K 

K 

K 

K 

L- 

L- 

L 

1, 

\.- 

I.- 

M 

M 

M- 

,M 

M 

.M 

M- 

1'- 
I'- 

1' 

I' 

I'- 

H- 

U- 

li- 

K- 

H- 

K- 

H- 

K- 

S- 


T 


—  \  |{ .M.T.  TiuJorM. 

I'.  W (Jro. 

>V  I!  ( 'oiitiiiclorH. 

.1.  .N  .  .  .  ..Mull'.  lioot.H  iiijil  Slioi'H. 

—  •).  •! Iliiriii -^iH. 

—  S Wiitcliiiiuki  T. 

■      .1 Ale. 

A .Miifr.  HittcfH. 

—  S I '.  •  i.  iiiHJ   N^li()Il^^. 

— ./tS—    - W'liol.    .Nolioiifi. 

—  W  .  \V.   A    C0...C0U01]  |''iiriorM. 

—  .1.  1 UIm.I.  (;m. 

S I!,  ill  I'ihliili-. 

HroH Ciolliilif,',  elf'. 

1^  If »   '^llilo|•^'. 

—  tl.  .M.  <V  Ci,,  . .(  oiii  11  iiml  ( '(/itofi. 

—  iV  H .  .  .  .Il'wuii',  SlovcH  and 

Tin. 

—  H.  S Coin'n   LiiMildT,  I'lc. 

—  »t  ,M I'lintcr.s. 

—  W.  I) Tinner. 

—  F l,i()ll()iH. 

—  A.  iV  Co IlidcH. 

—  SoiiH InipH.  ( 'I'ockiTV,  ele. 

—  il.  T Sliij)  ifroker. 

—  M Tailor. 

—  S Flori.'-t. 

—  -  .1.  S.  iV  <  o.  .Slii|i]iin;/-  and  '  'oin'n. 

—  C.  S Oils,  l,ani)i.",  <;t(;. 

—  F ConfiM-.  and  Sodii  \\'ati;r. 

—  MrH.  1< Toll,  and  Ci^farH. 

—  M.  K Hotel. 

—  VV.  K Inn.  AL'ent. 


(1- 


iVC 


.X 


ewHiiaiier 


MrH.  K Millii 


\V J Cotton. 


W 


i).  .. 
N.  C 


.1).  0. 

.Slat('r. 


\V Coin'n. 

W .\ .  .  .  .Com'n  and  Md.se.  Broker. 


W 


W Hulooii. 


[to  UK  CO.NTI.NUKI) 


TIIK   HV:-Ti;\I    KXrOFKI>. 


L'5 1 


(iliANI)    UAI'IDS,   MICH. 


A- 
A- 
»- 
H- 
H- 
0- 

(;- 
c- 
<;- 
<;- 
D- 
ij- 
D- 
j-;- 
E- 

K- 
K- 
K- 
F- 
K- 
(]- 
(1- 
(i- 
(1- 
(i- 


■  k  K Urcwfiry. 

-&  K <in.. 

•H.H Stuv.'w. 

.  M.  'I' l,i;,Mil.iiiii{f  UdiIm. 

.  .),  \V    I'"<'y  (JiiikIh. 

J <iro.,  <•!<•. 

.1.  11 Ilot.l. 

W.  II.  .'t  Co l-imr. 

liros <'n). 

11 CiKiu'^.-ic. 

.  ,V  (• \;r'|    lllipl'lM. 

-  F.  k  Soim <in». 

■  Hric-i.  iV  Co  I'riiii'TH. 

.  Iv  (< )c wilry. 

.  .1.  '1' I,,    li'-lls  ••1.!. 

.J \S'ii;,'i)ii.'<,i'tc. 

.  &,  ( '() I,iiiiil«'r. 

.  &  a Wil^rollH. 

.  1) LuinljiT. 

•  &(,'<. (;iu-,s. 

.  H.    M.  iV  <'.) I'iiiiitrt. 

-  K.  It.k  Co liiki-rt. 

-  i'.  M.  &  Co Il'ilwunf. 

-J.  ii 'I'ooIh. 

-  W.  S.  kr,, I  I'd  will-.!. 


,   il --  MiH.  K l^)ok:^  mill  Si  .fry. 

1    11  Iv  I!.  .V  Co H.hIh. 

;    1!  II     .M I'lijMT,   rti:. 

K  i;.  W Ak'I  Impll-'. 

I,  .\.,  iiro;^.  ,V  C .MucliiiiiMlH. 

I,  Hlo- IllllH. 

,\I  i;.  'i LiiiuhiT. 

,M     I,.  A HoolH. 

}   ,\ ^c, I'lunin^'  .Mill. 

1> 1.  \V .MsicliiiHrry. 

1'     —  K.,  SoiihAiCo Teas,   i-u:. 

i' .  K.  U I'lui.iiijr  .Mill,  i:U'.. 

1     1> W.    T Wltl.T   i'<>\V.T,.'l<!. 

'  I» .Mm.  T.  a .NruH  l>c|.oi. 

I  i> \v.  T.  it  Son |jmil.iT. 

:  (2 I.  j, Lmnl.ri-. 

I  S k  11 l)ni;;-i,  rU\ 

I    S 15.   C Il..t.;l. 

:  S" — k  A I).  <i.,  cti'. 

'    W .(i kd SiifiM,  it<:. 

'   W 1.  I, Siiw  Mill. 

W }•;.  W.  cV  S.  A Fiiiiiiiiird. 

W Ai  Co    l/iunl)i!l'. 

W — ~kL KiutlK-r. 

VV .J.  S A;,''l  liiipl'trt. 


TO   UK  <  O-NTIM  E<l. 


HALIFAX     X. 


S. 


A A.  H C,,mi,. 

H J.  U Miifr.  Soda  Wiitcr. 

B k  H <iro.  iiiid  Coiii'n. 

H 1.  S Coiit'ii. 

H W Coiii'n. 

H— —  II,   I' Driio-s. 

(; Hrfis KxpMj.sH,  »'!(!. 

(' 'I'.  I* .Sliitioiicr,  ••tc. 

C F.  I).  ^  Co Coiu'n  and  Coul. 


D- 
I) 

D- 
F- 
I- 
(J- 
(J- 


.1 • .M(  nliaiit. 

1' Iji'o.  and  I/n|. 

U 'in,. 

T (J!o. 

A '  'oi/i'n. 

F.  W J'lxpri'^^H. 

J.  \V Hot.l. 

1' l,i(inorH. 

1) Tailor. 


■,%. 


*> 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


1.0 


I.I 


*fMa  iiliiM 

il6 


m 

2.0 


1.8 


1.25      1.4      1.6 

■m 6"     

► 

V] 


<^ 


/} 


"m 


*% 

*>%; 


/ 


7^1'  ■■>' 


7 


/^ 


Photographic 

Sdences 

Corporation 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14S80 

(7.6)  872-4503 


^ 


*■' 


,\ 


:\ 


;V 


\ 


^^ 


<^-  V    "^Ci^ 


<^ 


'^ 


<i' 


252 


H- 
n- 
II- 
II- 
11- 
11- 
II- 
II- 

K- 
1^ 
M- 
M- 


TUE  COHMEKCIAL  AGENCIES. 


S.  T Bookfl. 

■  O.  C.  &  Co Mvrclmnta. 

D VAi. 

•  J .  &  Son Oro. 

■I) Livery  Stable. 

L.  &Co D.  U. 

■  \\ Luiubt-r. 

•J CJiis  Kittor,  etc. 

•  K.  &  Co Stntioiurs. 

1>.  J (Iro,  and  Coin'n. 

-&Co Furnituru. 

■A Machinist,  etc. 


M D.  A Brass  Founder. 

M a.  E.  &  Co Drugs  and  Ikmks. 

M J.  K Clothier. 

M 1».  &  J Brewers. 

O W.  1) Contractor, 

O E Uro. 

O &  C« (  oni'n  Mere. 

1' M Liquors. 

U D Uro.  and  Llq. 

S VV Hutther,  etc. 

W T Boots  aud  Shoes. 


'    I 


[to  uu  continued.] 


HAMILTON,  ONT. 


A AT Oro. 

A W (Jro. 

B H.  M Books,  etc. 

B J.  A Drugs. 

B J.  N.  &  Co. .  .Wines  and  Spirits. 

B &  Co. .     Vinegar. 

K N.  F  Fwdtr. 

B S &  M Iron. 

C II.  (1.  A:  Co Carringefi. 

C T.  &  Co Founders,  etc. 

C J Shoes. 

1) J.  II.  &  Co Comn  Wool. 

F C.J Hotel. 

F T DM. 

F 1{ Lumber  Coni'n. 

U W Boots  and  Shoes. 


a O Ftcpl  Sprin?  Mnfr. 

II T Ciibinctnikr. 

11 W.  J 1).  (J. 

K W Clothing. 

K J.  &  11 Music  and  Sewing 

Machiners. 

M J Lani]>s,  etc. 

M 1 Whip  Laslies. 

N T SiM'ciilator. 

K J.  W Piivsicinn. 

T J   Melodeons. 

W T.  C I).  (1. 

W U Ice. 

W li &  Co.  .Sewing  Madiines. 

W S BtM)tH  anil  Slioes. 

W J.,  Sr Uro.,  etc. 


m 


1.T0  UK  CONTINUED.] 


TUE   SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


253 


HARTFORD,  CT. 


B- 
B- 
IJ- 


B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
{•- 

(;- 

('- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
U- 
E- 
F- 
F- 
(1- 
O- 
O- 
G- 
G- 

n- 

H- 

n- 

H- 
II- 
H- 
H- 
H- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 


-  B.  B Silvcrsiniili. 

-  &  Co Dyi'stutlH. 

-  H.  &  S MnsoDH. 

■II.  F.  &C.) Iron,  etc. 

-J.  II «ro. 

•  K Ilnrnesii. 

■II.M Icwell.T. 

•  II.  H    CoilfliCtioiKT. 

-  A.  E Ut'stnurnnt. 

■  K.,  Sr Cnpitulist. 

•  W Ilarncfl.s. 

•P Gro. 

I.  H.  1' Co. 

•E.  W Fish. 

A Clothing. 

J Clothing,'. 

S &  W F M Co. 

■L Miller. 

-  &  1{ Ciirriagenikrs 

-A.  B Clocks. 

■  A.  &  Son Wool. 

■  C I' Co. 

•  T S M Co. 

&  II Gro. 

■  1) ...    i  )<)ts  und  Slioe.s. 

■  H.  &Co D.  «J. 

■  I).  A Furniture. 

•II.  A.,  Eat.  of Drug.s. 

■  &  F Soap  and  CundleH. 

•  II.  &  Hro Jewellers. 

-P Co. 

.  s (;„. 

&  F D.  G. 

•\y.  K Flournnd  Fwd. 

■  N Leaf  Tolmcco. 

•A.  J Baker. 

•  W.  C Printer. 

■  II.  P (Jro. 

-  &  F Wines,  etc. 

•  K.  &  Son Cnrringeinkrs. 

-II.  F Gro. 


K- 

L- 

L- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M 

M- 

M- 

M- 

N- 

N- 

N- 

O- 

P-- 

P- 

P- 

P- 

P- 

P- 

P- 

H- 

H- 

S- 


S- 

s- 
s- 

S— 
S— 

s— 
s- 
s- 

T- 
'1- 
W- 
W- 
W- 
W- 
W- 
W- 


-F.  W PcHB- 

-  L Hotel 

-  \V.   II Klectrotyper. 

-  B Carriages. 

-  Bros Builder*. 

-T Tea. 

-  U  Banker. 

-  II.  &  Co UpliolMterers. 

-  L.  B.  &  Co Sashes,  ete, 

-S.  M Marble. 

-  C Silvcnsmith. 

-  S Co. 

-  M.  t; Tens  and  Lqrs. 

-  K Lcjr.  and  Gro. 

-J   Lqrs. 

-T.  11 Coni'u  Prod. 

-  Bros Meat. 

-M Hotel. 

-  A.  (J ToI>aeco. 

-M.  M Oysters. 

-P &  Co Milliners. 

-  S.  S lioots  and  Shoe.s. 

-S &  Co. . .  .Ag'l  Iinpl'ts,  etc. 

-  .1.  C.  &  Co Packinjr  Boxes. 

•  E.  &  Son Lime  and  Cement. 

•  &  I) Cigars. 

P.  H.   B Tailor. 

('.  L Builder. 

O.  I) U.  E.  Broker,  etc. 

&  Co  (Jro. 

F.  C.  &  Co Whol    Meats. 

1) Builder. 

W.  B Lumber. 

-  C &  Co Tripo,  etc. 

•  W Auctioneer. 

_S M Co. 

-  E  II.  &  W.  S Stevedores. 

-D.  U Coal. 

-  C PainiM,  Sashes,  »?lc. 

-  &  <"o Boots  and  Shoes. 

-J.  K , ..Druga. 


[to  be  comtinuld.] 


254 


THE   COMMEKCIAL   AGENCIES. 


HOLTSTON,  TEXAS. 


A N I'rov. 

A 1.  J Ilot.'l. 

11 M.  A Tail(,r. 

H J.  (' (iro. 

(• J.  W.  &  ( '.) Cigars,  otc. 

C Afrs.  F (».  S. 

C K.  II .  .Books,  etc. 

C J.  A Machinery,  etc. 

T.  W Baiikinjj. 

J.  W Ciirriago  Trimniings. 

VV &Co Mill. 


D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
E- 


m^y 


K- 
F- 

F- 
F- 


J.  U F'cy  <lood.s. 

■  &  Co Wliol.  Liquors. 

(}   Stoves  and  Hardware. 

I D.  «.,  ef.v 

&  V Oeii'l  Coin'n. 

Vi (lunsinitli. 

I' ("onfec,  Banker,  and  Ex- 

chnnjie. 

W ]>.  «. 

T.  11 D.  O.,  etc. 


F- 
(f- 
H- 

n- 
I- 

L- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
li- 
S- 
S- 

s- 

S- 

s- 
s- 

V- 
V- 

z- 


-  ('.  J Carriapro  Trimmer. 

-  F Boot  and  Slioe  Mkr. 

-  A.&F Whol.  1).  a, 

-  II.  &  Co Whol.  and  Bet.  (Jro. 

&0 .  ..Furniture  and  T'phol- 

sterers. 
-&Bro D.  G. 

-  W.  II Carriagenikr. 

-S (Jro. 

-  S.  S Lumber  Dealer. 

-Mrs.  M.  J Millinery. 

-J Uro. 

-  F.  A Clocks,  etc. 

&  II Fub'rs. 

■  C Cabinetnikr. 

&  S Clothinp. 

■M O.  S. 

-  W.  B Cotton  uud  Coin'n. 

-&B O.  S. 

•  L Faucy  Uoods. 


•fiv 


[to  be  continued.! 


INDIANAPOLIS,  IND. 


A- 
A- 

A- 

.\- 

A- 
A- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 


-I).  M Broker. 

-  C Boots  and  Shoes. 

-H.  &Br Saddlers. 

-&a Wood. 

-E.  S Real  Estate. 

-D NV Co. 

•&Co Factory. 

.  &  D Belli  Estate. 

•  &  San Drugs. 

•II.  S Agent. 

■  W.  P.  &  Co Jewelry. 

.w\  Oils. 

■  J.'  C.  &  Co! '. '. ..... .Wiioi.  Lqra! 


B- 
B- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 


C.  II Patent  Medicines. 

•&B Chairs. 

W.S Printer. 

&  T Engines,  etc. 

.1.  II Jeweller. 

H.  P Phofograidiic  Mtr'ls. 

P Money  Lender. 

H.  &Co Coal. 

•J Fruits,  etr. 

-R.  M Millinery. 

•II Notions,  etc. 

W.  J.  &  Co Il'dware. 

'  C Drugs. 


THK   SVSTKM    EXPOSED. 


S66 


■  Hro.  &Co (Motli.n^. 

•  \N' Hoot.s  ami  Slious. 

■C  &  Co Miilrs.  Sup. 

-.(.  H Drugs. 

■  J Shoes. 

■  M TaniHT. 

&  () ('nri)ciit(M'rt,  I'tc. 

S .Stoves. 

1.  \, Stoves. 

I.  T Tobacco  Broker. 

A C'urpets. 

I K I' Co. 

•  J.  C Mill. 

J.   W Hotel. 

■  1{.  A:Co Mill. 

(i.  (> L(irs. 

-M.  T (iro. 

■A.  N.  &  Co Miicliiiies. 

•J.  (> N'ewsixiper. 

■  &  M Drugs. 

-.1.  C Saddler. 

•  K iV  11 .  . .  .I'lidertakers. 

■  K &  Co D.  (J. 


(M) Hotel. 

C Co. 

1' A:  P Co. 

W NV . 


•  A Candles. 

•  E.  \V Marble. 

J Marble. 

K A Jeweller. 

K J.  S Drujj-*. 

K C (iro. 

K A Drug.-*. 

li L.  it  ('d Notions,  etc. 

li jMiss Millinery. 

li &  li Iron  Works. 

M J.  W Chairs. 


.. K Drujia. 

M K D.U. 

M S Iii(|uor. 

M H &0 Agts. 

M J.  P Brewer. 

M P &  Co Coal. 

M C Chairs. 

M W.  L Sewing  ^hu:hs. 

M 1) Mnlr. 

N 11 Fey  <l(ls. 

N C Plumber. 

(> 1 Ale. 

P E.  L Statnr. 

P H Boots  and  Shoes. 

P J.  T Lumber. 

P s P I'o. 

li Mr.i.  M Hotel. 

|{ W Stoves. 

H &  P Uro. 

\{ &  S Kurnituro. 

K &  L Coal,  etc. 

U H.  I{.  &  Co Pumps,  etc. 

S C , Uro. 

S J Notions,  etc. 

S it  Co Lumber. 

S Mrs.  L.  D Millinery, 

S W (iro. 

S M.  H.  &  Co Notions,  etc. 

S .' Boots  and  Shoes. 

S 1.  B.  &  Co L(irs. 

S Mrs.  S.  L Millinery. 

S J I  Iarne.>iS. 

T &  S Faetorv. 

V S.  C PublisheV. 

AV L.  S Chemicals. 

W R  II Hotel. 

W &  S Drugs. 

W 15 &  Co Printers. 

Y &  P Books. 

Z T Jeweller. 


[to  be  CONTINUK!..] 


JEHSET  CITY,  N 


T. 


A W S:  a P Co. 

C A Lumber. 

D S Hulling  .Much. 

F J.  A Shoes,  etc. 

O- M Stoves. 

(! 11.  L Dry  (Joods,  etc. 

(i T .' Livery. 


I[ A.  itCo Fcv(ids. 

II \V.  C Iron. 

J C I \V 

K W Druffs. 

L T.  T Tin,  etc. 

L L.  1) Il'dwarc. 

M B Ueal  Estate. 


250 


TUK  COMMKKCIAL  AOKNCIKS. 


M J.  A Nt)W«j)tt|»or. 

M 11 Co. 

Al J.  M.  ii  Co Livery. 

M U.  II DruKH. 

N 10.  S.  &  Co ('lotiiinj?. 

!S (I.  (i t'oiitractor. 

y &  F Urowcrs. 


S J B<j<)tH. 

8 VV.  I) U(>.)k«,  •!tc. 

T 11.  A (ioutM'  Kurii'g. 

W <Si  V (Joal,  etc. 

\V J.  i» Coul. 

W 8.  H Lqrs. 


[to  DB  CONTINUeD.] 


KATsSAS  CITY,  MO. 


II 


A I,  II Ilardwiin;. 

A !I.  W Kuriiiluri!. 

B A.  A <iciil.  (."iiin'ii. 

IJ k  B Afrts. 

H &  B LijM. 

v. K.  D AKi-nt. 

B &  Bro I).  (J.  uiid  (iro. 

C &  Co Oro. 

C Bros I'iniioH. 

(' W.  K DnifTH. 

C J.  H NcwH. 

D M Ilotd. 

I) J.  N Lfatliir. 

F \V.  B Builder. 

V &  I) S 1! . 

F N.  U.  &  Son <iro. 

F II.  C.  &  Co llot.l. 

(J M.  B.  &  BroH Ciittlo  Dcalcr.s. 

(} W.  (• L(|rs. 

TI J.  k  Son Hotel. 

H I.  I» (iro. 

H O.  W Il'dwurt). 


1 1 &  C D.  (J. 

II &  I) (iro. 

II NV Prod.  unJ  F.cd. 

J &  Co Jo\v«"llfr». 

K U.  H.  &  Co Coal,  «tc. 

K J.  li.  &  Co nvTwnre. 

K &  'I' Furniture. 

L A.H Hotel, 

I.r &  W PubliHlntrs. 

M I.  W Saddk-ry. 

M 1.  F DniffH. 

M &  S MucliinlHfs. 

.M &  Co Cattlo  Dealers. 

H &  Bro Vini'fifar. 

U F.  V B<K)tB  and  SIum-s. 

H A;Co I),  a. 

S J.  C Hotel, 

T k  Co VVliol.  Gro. 

T H.  &  Bro Wl.ol.  Tobacco. 

T a Gro. 

T &  B Apl.  Implts. 

W J.  Q.  &  Co BankorB. 


[to  be  continveu.] 


TllK  SVSTKM    liXI'OSEI). 


2r)7 


LAWRENCE,  MASS. 


n J.  R «ro.  K- 

H M (in..  h- 

l» MrH.  A.  M Fey  (Jds.  Ji- 
lt  \V.  E Jeweller.   !   L- 

B A.  I) H«)<.kH,  etc.  M- 

U H.  &('<( NewH|)Upi'r.  X— 

(; W.  C H«M>tn  unci  SlioeH.  S— 

C II.  I) IJ >bbiii  Miifr.  S- 

(,' I).  .Ir.  &0> (Jro.  T- 

C .Mrn.  J I/Kiuor.  T- 

D S.  &  Son Contractors.  'I'- 
ll  T.  \V Hotel.  W- 

H \V Millinerv.  etc.  W- 

II \V.  IS Waterproof  "riot  li.  i    W- 

J J.  K Pottery. 


-  W.  A Braid  Mnfr. 

<  ' liootH  HUd  HIlOtM. 

('.  H l)rii«H. 

[) S A:  It .  <  'o. 

-  H Jewclliir. 

-  MIhh  1{ Fey  UdH. 

VV Fey  «d«. 

M.  A llarnoH.s. 

■  1> LiquorH. 

M.  A I).  (1. 

.1.  A.  &  Co Painters'  Sups. 

-J Stowing  Macli. 

-  A.   H (Iro. 

-S (iro. 


[to  be  L'ONTZ.NUBD.] 


LEzVVENWoirrii,  ka:n. 


A S C^apitalist. 

A K.  11 CapituliHt. 

A .1.  M Stationer. 

A J.  &  ('o Ixjr.s. 

It M    Clotliintf. 

B W.  (.'.  Jr.  &  Co BoolH. 

B T.  <i Prod. 

B F.   B Furri.T. 

C T Printer. 

C E Coul,  (Jrain,  etc. 

C M.  A (laRoliiie. 

C C Afrent. 

C W («ro.,  etc. 

I) M.  K (iro. 

1) () Contractor,  etc. 

F h Marljle. 

O T.  V Seeds. 

II Mi.ss  A Milliner. 

H O.J InH.  A/,'t. 

H 1.   W   Aff<-nt. 

n A.  A Apent, 

H S.  E Capitalist. 


11- 
I— 
I— 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 

L- 

L- 

M 

M- 

•M- 

M- 

\- 

H- 

H- 

S— 

W- 


-  I.  P Oen.  Store. 

J liiimbor. 

S &  Co Bankers. 

-  \V &  C Co. 

-T Co. 

-W.  I» Ajrt. 

-  &  \V Browcrn. 

-J.  11 Contractor. 

-  A.  T.  &  Co Livery. 

-I- Dry  OoodH  and  Clothin/,'. 

.  11 Co. 

J Boots  and  Shoes. 

-  &  <'o Ajfl.  In)])lts. 

-  11    li.  S Livery. 

-  \V ; Printer. 

-J.  W Cajjitalist. 

-  B D.  O. 

-J.  S.  &Co Hotel. 

-  M Packer. 

■F.  W Gro. 

-  J.  A liqre.,  etc. 


[to  BB  COMTINl'EU.] 


i.'58 


Till-:   CO.MMEUCIAL   AGENCIES. 


f,'! 


|;'^ 


LOOKPORT,  N.  Y. 


A M HotH.  I  II- 

15 S.  M Li,,,,..  K- 

15 &<i Uro.  '  K- 

'« 1« MiU«!r.  1-- 

i* A.  A Proil. ,  V\\i\tr. ,  vU-.  M- 

H II DnigH.  I'U:  I  M- 

.'< J.l- ( 'iiriM'tK.  etc.  I  P- 

' ' H.  !•' L'oiiibiiilder.  i  1'- 

K s.  M (Jr.,;  '  P- 

H (1.  H Miller.  ;  U- 

1' A Agfut.  I  I'- 
ll  &D DO.  1  W 


-Mrs.  A.  (' riotlilnff. 

-  P.  \  Hr« Key  «(!«. 

-J.  I' SushcH,  etc. 

H A . 

-  A..) Glass. 

-J.   P Am' 

,].  II l''wd^'.,  ttc. 

&  Co \V(M)1. 

O Dairy. 

T CaniiiffcM. 

■  Mrs.  E.  fcJ Clothiiif,'. 

-\V.  J Dyer. 


[to  be  continued.] 


LOUISVILLE,  KY. 


-A.J Lumber,  etc. 

-  II.  C Physician. 

-  C liooks,  etc. 

-J.  C Uro..  etc. 

-  W.  E Hotel. 

.  TI &Co Pork. 

-D.  S Com'ii  Prod. 

-  Bros.  &  Co Li<iiior.s. 

-  W HIaiking,  etc. 

■  &  F Foundry. 

-  M.  &  ("o Fciuiidry. 

-  M &  Co Carpets,  etc. 

■  C.  F ClmirH. 

■  R.  It.   &  Co Stat'y,  etc. 

-J Cni)itan>.t. 

•  R.  L Com'n  and  Pmd. 

■  I Millinery. 

•  H.  S.  &  Co Notions. 

•  &  T Liquors. 

•D &  Co Stock. 

•&M Coiu'u. 


C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 

E- 
F- 
F- 
F- 

a- 
(}- 
(i- 
(i- 

H- 
H- 


D &  Co Gro. 

&  Co Com'n. 

E.  H.  &  Co Liquors. 

A D.  O. 

M D.  O. 

Mrs.  A.  II F'cy  (jioods. 

M &  Co Foundry. 

J (iro. 

D.  &  Co Hides,  etc. 

F BookH. 

11 &  S Hats,  etc. 

.1.  V.  &,  Son Pictures,  etc. 

F Lard,  etc. 

J Parlor  Furniture. 

II Books. 

J Frnits,  »'tc. 

E.  S Publisher. 

Mrs.  A.  E Millinery. 

Mrs.  AV    F D.  0. 

■J Elevators,  etc. 

K &  Co Furniture. 


THE  SYSTEM    KXPOPKI). 


259 


. . .  .(ilnns. 
Ayt." 

wdfr.,  etc. 
Wool. 

. .  .Dairy. 
("ariiiifii'H. 
.ClothiiiK' 
Dyer. 


H- 

K- 

K- 

K- 

K 

L- 

L- 

L- 

h- 

L- 

L- 

M- 

M- 

iM- 

M- 

M- 

M- 
N- 
N- 

N- 
O- 


_M fi  Co (Motliiiitf. 

-J Uuil.Ur. 

-U (Jro. 

-I I'tmlractor. 

-&  \ tiro. 

-  it  Son Uro. 

-  II.  J IMiyHiciiin. 

-  &  iJrcj I'riiittTrt. 

-J Coiifi-c. 

-J (Jro.,  etc. 

-J HutH. 

-  J.  &  Co XcwHpapt'r. 

-  B.C Aj,n'iit. 

-  .\.  \-  Co Clotliiiiji,'. 

■  J.  S StovcH. 

■  l> Foiiiiilrv. 

-  A.  H CoiifoV. 

■  ,1 Nuil.s. 

-  \V M Co. 

-  \V.  II CarpctH. 

-T I).  (1. 

-  W.  11 Hoot8  und  Shot's. 

-J Jowelrv. 

-&  V H'krs. 

-J.  \V.  &  Co Saddlery. 

-  N &  Co l-'lori-sts. 

-  M Clothing. 

-  E.  P.  k  Co Ilurdwuro. 

U.  F Oro. 


r n.  U Ueal  E.stato. 

I' K.  &  Co (.'i;rarH. 

1' M Browor. 

U M.  C Jewelry. 

II M.  &  Son VVuj;oii8. 

K .M Carriajjes. 

K L Saloon. 

11 J.  IF.  &Son8 Uro. 

S F Trunks, 

S C Oro. 

S F Clotiiinff. 

S J (JIuc. 

S A MachinoH. 

S F Flour  .Mill. 

S A Brkr. 

S .M &  Co Li<{uorH. 

S -Mrs.  li Br'wcry. 

S (J.  M IUmhu  DuHters. 

S B W . 

T Miss  K Fancy  Good.-*,  etc. 

T tl.  H Xcwspaper. 

V C.  J DrugH. 

V 1' Iteal  Rstate. 

\V J.  C B<K>k8. 

\V &  B Tobacco. 

W 1.  S.  iV  Co Tobacco. 

W H A &  Co Livery. 

W J.  II.  II Agent. 

Y &  Co Uoofers. 


[to  be  continuko.] 


Oro. 

, .  .Com'n. 
.  Liquors. 
,...D.  U. 
...D.  «. 
cy  (joodf. 
.Foundry. 

(Jro. 

Hides,  etc. 

. .  BooUh. 

Hats,  •tc. 

;tiire8,  etc. 

.Lard,  etc. 

Furniture, 

. .  .Books. 

ruits,  «'H'. 

Publisher. 

Millinery. 

D.  G. 

ators,  etc. 
Furniture. 


LOWELL,  MASS. 


A- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
C- 
C- 


-  S. , . . Dry  Goods  and 

Sewing  Machines. 

-  W.  &Son Flocks. 

•A.  &  Co Planing  Mills. 

•  W Fuis. 

.  E  (Jro. 

M.  A (Jro. 

,M Provisions. 

.1.  M Fancy  (Jiods. 

S.    r>. . , , Foreign  Fruits. 

E.  O Notions. 

S Tinsmith. 

C.  E Drugs. 

P.  &  Co Gro. 

S Co. 


C- 

I  ^'- 
D- 

!  D- 

!  D- 

!  F- 

1  F- 

F- 

G- 

Q- 

H- 

H- 

H- 

H- 

H- 


&  X Iron. 

E.  (r Tanner. 

•T Tailor. 

■  J.&  Son Mnfrs, 

■A Mnfr.  Shoe  Shanks, 

F Mason. 

O.  D • Drugs. 

(J.  11 liadii's'  Suits. 

J Boots  and  SIkk'b. 

•J Boots  and   Shoes. 

■  M Dry  (Joods. 

•B.  V Shoes, 

D.  W Coal. 

■J Mnfr.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

■  C , NewBpa|)er. 


i  4 


960 


THE  COMMEUCTAIi   AGENCIES. 


K- 
K- 
I.- 
L- 
li- 
L- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
1»- 
U- 


-H.  0 Tens,  oto. 

-It Mncliinory. 

J,  H Ilata,  Caps,  etc. 

V H Co. 

D.  it  Son Mnrrs.  Kuives. 

O C Co. 

-J.  A Mnfr. 

-  O Furniture. 

-  D.  J Liquors. 

J.  N Muchinist. 

A.J Produce. 


S J Mnfr.  ShaUo  Hollers. 

8 A.  VV Uro. 

S H &  Co Flour. 

8 T Co. 

T—  T Waters,  etc. 

T J.  M.  &  Co lioxcs. 

T J Uoll  Coveror. 

W (J,  II Miilr. 

W Hros.  &  K (llov«fB. 

W W.  II Builder. 


[TO  DB  CONTINUED.] 


LYNN,  MASS. 


A S.  T Hotel. 

A J.  L Upholfltercr. 

H T.  W Shoes. 

B S.  J ShoeH. 

B W.  N.  &  Co Coal,  etc. 

B S.  H Boots,  etc. 

B P.  \V.  &  Co (iro. 

B B Slioes. 

B W.  N Stitcher. 

B H.  n Drugs. 

C C.  11 Builder. 

C II.  U Boot  and  Shoo  Mnfr. 

C II.  &  N Mororco. 

C B.  K Carpent.r. 

D &  D Shoes. 

D B.  &  Co Shoes. 

D II.  T Boot  nnd  Shoe  Mnfr. 

a W.  II Paster  Inner  Sol.s. 

a S.  A Shoes. 

O S.,  Jr Shoe.s. 

H J.  VV Cement. 

H «.  W StiffeninRS. 

H P.  C Shoes. 

H W.  S (Jro. 


n Shoes. 

.  II Builder. 

S Slii)perH. 

Paints  and  Oils. 

,  P Hotel. 

,  II rpi>erB. 

W. Shoc-8. 

P. Shoewnx. 

.  S Boots  and  Shot-s. 

(Iro. 

.  W Shoes, 

1 Carpenter. 

W Shoes. 

1 Shoes. 

SIUM'S. 

Shoes. 


.   L Shoes. 

K Stoves,  etc. 

P Siioes. 

P Shoes. 

F Slioes. 

M Shoes 

1^.  S Operator. 


[to  he   CONTiMVEO.] 


TIJK  SYSTEM    EXl'OSUD. 


201 


do  UoUuri. 

(Jro. 

Flour. 

Vaters,  etc. 
. . .  .Uoxes. 
11  t'ovcrer. 
Mnfr. 

.  .  .  .(lloVOB. 

...Builder. 


MANCHESTER,  N.  II. 


B (1.  F Auclionccr.  M- 

C .1.  H.  ii  Co LcatlicT.  M- 

V T I'rnviNiuii.M.  M- 

V T ClotliiuK.  N- 

(." W Nctdlo  Miifr.  U- 

(• I) On..  H- 

K W.  II Jtsweller.  S- 

F H.  C.  &  Co MuchiniBlH.  W- 

(1 F Hoots  and  SluH'H.  W- 

II V.  W llotol.  \V- 

II A.  D Tolmcco.  W- 

J C.  II Fey  Uda   , 


-  H.  T.  &  (V) PriiirgliitK. 

-  S &  Ii Ck>. 

-&('o <lro. 

-  &  II MuchiiUHtH. 

■J l.(|rM.,  t'U'. 

A.  W.  &  Co ('urrittj,'fi*. 

Hros Stovort. 

-(J,  VV .Millim-ry. 

-  A.  C liUinbcr. 

-  A.  H Clolhiii^f. 

-  Mrs.  J.  L Fey  (.Ids. ,  oic. 


[to  be  continued.] 


....  Shoes. 
. .  .Builder. 
..SlippiTH. 
s  and  OilR. 
Hotel. 

...UpiHTB. 
.  .  .SlKH'fi. 

Slioewnx. 
and  Slio«'8. 

,..  (Jro. 

. .  Shoes. 
Carpenter. 

. .  Shot* 

,  .Shoes. 

,  .Shoes. 

, .  Shoes. 

, .  Shoes. 

Stoves,  etc. 

. .  .  Shoes. 

. . .  Shoes. 

Shoes. 

....  Shoes 
.Operator. 


MEMPHIS,  TENN 


A B &  Co Furniture. 

A S.  M Coni'n. 

A M.  &  Son Boots  ftiul  Slioe.M. 

A .1.  Ij Fun<'y  (foods. 

A T.  1'.  &  Co.  ..Cotton  and  Coin'n. 

B II     1).  (J. 

B M.  F (Jr.). 

B &  S Whol.  Il'dwiirc. 

B E.  P.  &  Co Cotton  Fiictors. 

B B &Co  Com'n. 

B II I>.  (J.,  etc. 

H M.  M Sewing  Mncliint  s. 

H B.J Conin. 

B N.  A.  &Co (ir.>. 

B II Furniture. 

B .1.  T.  &  Co Com'n.  etc. 

B &  C Books  and  Stat'y. 

B C.  O.  &  Co Prod,  and  Com'n. 

B .1.  M Cotton. 

B W.  M Stockyards,  etc. 

B W Newspaper. 

B &  P Cotton  a;id  Com'n. 


B J.  .1.  &  Co Com'n. 

C J.  S Cotton. 

C W.  J.  &  c;o Ferdstore. 

C E.  Ii Books  and  Stat'y. 

C E.  1).  &  Co. .  .Cotton  and  Com'ii. 

C 1 1).(I. 

C J.  W Contractor. 

I) II.  C.  A:Co I'rov. 

1> E Hats  iind  Caps. 

I> A:  S Com'n. 

I) &  B 1{.  E.  Ajjency.  etc. 

1) .IS Cotton   Buyer. 

F. NV.  .1 » .rplioisterer. 

F H &  C<)..(V)tton  and  Com'n. 

F T.  A Stoneworker. 

F S I).  (J. 

F &  1) . . .  .Tobacco and  Cijjars. 

F F (Jro. 

(J S Boots  and  Shoes. 

(J Bro.-j Cipars,  etc. 

G W.  B.,  Sr Cai)itali8t.. 

H Q Furniture. 


«'■:• 


968 


THE  COMMKUCIAL  AOKNCIKH. 


H- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
H- 
H- 
II- 
II- 
1- 

1- 
J- 
J- 
J- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
I.- 
L- 
L- 
h- 


~  J.  H.  &  Co Uookrt  mill  Stiit'v. 

-J.  !•; Urn. 

-  \l.    {' N»'VVH|IU|1IT. 

-  H.  A Dytr. 

-  II.  <i IMunori  anil  Miixir. 

-  (' &,  II ..Whol.  Niilii.iiH. 

-(1 Muk«T. 

-  |).  »V  Sun Urn. 

_&  s ..I'rliiiiTH. 

-V.  W.  &  Co.  ..('ottDIl  I'llL'tni's  iillil 

riini'ii. 

-  D.  ('.  iVCil I'ullli.slllTH. 

-  U &  ('ii.Wiiuon  l<'ai-tiirv,  itc. 

-J.  T Wliof.  ()ii>. 

-  (■ Htiiiair. 

-  S.  I).  &  t-'o ('iiiu'n. 

-H Hrt'wiT. 

-&  (i ridlist.H,  rtf. 


&  I'o l'lmiil)rr.i. 

P Miichini!<t. 

L I).  (J. 

C D.  (J.  and  ( 'lotliinjj;. 

li li    i'lotllilljr. 

I, M.  &  Co I).  (J.  unit  ClotliiiiK. 

I, W Ni'WMiliulcr. 

h \V PIiimhiT. 


M- 
M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M 

M- 

M- 

M- 


iV  C( Coni'n  nnil  Prod. 

P.  J.  &  ("o PliiinbtTH,  etc. 

H.  iM (las  Macliiiie. 

.1 Stono  WorkH. 

&  Co H(M)t.s  and  Siioi'B. 

&  Co Wiiol.  HMwari'. 

T Marblj  Works. 


&  A- 
A — 
1. — 


—  P- 

Co. 

—  I{- 


Co. 


&  1{- 

It 

(J.  &  Hro Whol.  Paper. 

\ .  B Coni'n.  eti-. 


M- 
M- 

M— 
M— 

N— 
P— 
P— 
P— 
P— 
H— 
U— 
H— 
8— 
H— 
S— 
S  — 
s — 
s — 
T— 
'I'— 
T— 
T— 
l— 
V— 
W- 

^\- 
w- 

W^- 
W- 
W- 

^v- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 


-  fc  S HootH  niid  ShoeH. 

-  .1.  tV  A.  1' CurriajfeH. 

-A.  li Com'n. 

-  (J Claim  Ayi-nt. 

■  •!.  A,  Hi  Cit. .  .Cotton  and  Coin  n, 

•I.   C Sjn'riilator. 

&  M Ci'tton  Sliid. 

(*.  W.  &  Co.Oin  and  .Macidnrry. 

'  C &  Ci> Coni'ii  and  (iio, 

■H.IJ I>.  O. 

■  H.  N (iro. 

•  H Conlee. 

&  C Hotel. 

M ,v  M II . 

\ Cliitliin^',  etc. 

.1.  H I'nltnli    IJuyer. 

iV  S Cotton. 

<' Pliinilii'r. 

J Piipi'ihan^iiifTS,  etc. 

().  W.  &  Co Coiii'n. 

.1.  M.  \  Co Wliol.  tiro. 

'  iV:  Co \uriioii  und  Conrn. 

).  (). 


I) 


P.  W DniKH. 

■  &  Co .Storage. 

•  Alius  A.  .\ Millini  ly. 

■  iV  (i CaiTiau'es. 

V.i.  &  Hro Who!.  Drill's. 

&  Co Dental  Depot. 

•  <i.  ti.  &  Co Oen'l  (.'mn'n. 

•Z.  II Hotel. 

■E.  &Co Publifher. 

■  T &  Co.  ..Uidling  Mill,  etc. 

-  (1.  J.  &  Co liUiiiber. 

-  A.  N.  &  Co. ..... .  .I'Vcdstore. 

-  .1.  M.  &  Co.  .Cotton  and  Com'n. 

-  &  Co MnfrH.  HitteiH. 

-M I).  U. 

-  &,  Co Drugs. 


Lto  be  fONTINUED.] 


MILWAUKEE,  WIS. 


A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 


G.  A Foundry. 

•  D Clotliin^'. 

•  P.  N Blacksmith. 

■  A -Stagesi. 


A O.  &  Co. .  .Bankers  niwl  BrnkerB. 

A M &  <o Dry  Docks,  etc. 

A 1 Marble. 

B Bros Whol.  Saddlery. 


TIIK  SVSTKM    KXI'OSKI). 


203 


I  and  ShocH. 

.C'urriiiKfH. 

Ctim'n. 

uiiii  Atimt. 

1111(1  Coin  n. 

Sin'i'iilatDr. 

'iMou  Sluil. 

MuclihiiTy. 
Ill  uiul  (il'O. 

I>.  (J. 

(Jrc). 

. . .  .('on Iff. 

Ilot.l. 

Intliin^',  ftf. 
iltmi   Miivfr, 

Cotton. 

.  .l'liiiiili<r. 
ngiiif;s,  «'tc. 

Coiii'n. 

Wliol.  «iro. 
and  Coin'n. 

I).  (1. 

hriifTH. 

. . .  .Storiinf. 
.  .Milliiifry. 
.  .Carriugfs. 
k'hol.  l)ru>jH. 
>fiitul  l)fpot. 
It-nl  I'lmi'ii. 

llolfl. 

,  l'ul)lir<hfr. 
ng  Mill,  ftf. 

.  .  .liUlllblT. 

.  ,Ff('(lt<ti)rf. 
1  anil  Coin'ii. 
ifrH.  Hittfit*. 

....1).  (J. 

. .  .Drugs. 


nivd  Brokors. 

Dofks.  ftc. 

. .  .Marble. 
)1.  Saddlery. 


U 1.  \v.  fi  E.  J Coni'n.       II- 

n — a Hiiots  and  siiofr*.  '  n 

|{ \-  H NVIiol.   |)rii>,'H.      II- 

M \.  M Coiii'n.       li- 
lt   II,  M W.Mid  and  Coai,      II- 

U K Com'n  and   DiNiillrr'. 

H V Mil'. 

H &  I' Coal  and  Wo  ..(, 

H I* Hoots  and  SIioch. 

M A,  \V.  iV  Co Car|iits  and 

.MnfrH,  Woollen  (ioodn, 

\i Mif.H  r Millin.r. 

H V.  iV  Son Coni'ii  niid  I'md. 

U .  .1 (Iro. 

M F.  H.  &  Co Pianos.    | 

H II.  I, Mdsf.  Hndvfr. 

H K &K ,,A (> Co.    ' 

I) II.   s I'liotoifrapli.T.    ; 

H li.  .1.  iS:  Co Afj:'l  Iniidtft,   i 

U .1.  W.  \- Co I'ainifrH.    i 

C iV   H Whol.  Tobacco. 

C N Co I'riiittMn  and 

l*iil)'rj<. 

C iV  H Newspaper. 

C 'r.  I',  \-  Co I'aiiiters  and 

Wallpaper. 

C K     <■'    Coin'ii. 

C W.  W Mdse.  Hrolu-r, 

C I I.niiiber, 

^' lj Hoofer. 

(• .1.    II    Whol.  «J|<). 

C &  0 Tanners. 

C W.   .1 Wool. 

I) T Wliol.   l.i.inors.    , 

V, V llatH  and  Caps,    i 

E H.  1'.  iS:  Co Coal.    : 

E T Co. 

E J WftgoiiH,  etc.    I 

E F.  &  Uro. . . .  Flour  and  Woollen 

Mills. 

E A.   I) Agent. 

E 1.  W Hoili-rmkr. 

F .1.  S.  &  Sons I'pliidstere rs. 

F &  S Mnfrs.  Furniture. 

F W.  &  Co Whol.  and  Het. 

Hardware. 

F &  H Whol.  Licpiors. 

(J .M Hotel. 

« S Dry  (ioods. 

()— Si  Co Carpets,  etc. 

U S Mnfr,  Slippers. 

(J T Fruit,  etc. 

(J .\ Vinegar.       S- 

(J F Whol.  Hats  and  Caps.      S- 

H J Boots  piid  Shoes.       S- 

II &  S Millinery.       S- 

II J.   iM Notions. 

II E.  A Foundry.      S- 

H W Hags.  'I'- 
ll  &  S Publishers.  'I'- 
ll  E.  C Jeweller,      T- 


it  D Inn.  AgentH, 

!'•  .1 Coni'n  Flour, 

.' (iro. 

!1   Notioim. 

iS:  V Coni'n  and  I  no. 

II 1.  11 Ie«  filer. 

II W Conipositioii  .Marblf. 

J •!■  &  II I''iirniture. 

.1 IV HlHcksniilh. 

K F Liiinors. 

K S I).  (J. 

K F 'I'vpn  Foundry. 

K &  C ■ Ilotfl. 

K I.  iV  Co .Notions,  etc. 

K A Moots  and  Slioes. 

K A I).  (1. 

K E .Musii-nl  liiKts  ,  etc. 

I C.  C Saw  Works. 

M l{.  A.iV  Co .Mnlrs.  Soap. 


A.  I> I  iiiot-t  and  Shoes. 

.1.  S.  iV  Co Lumber. 

.1.  T.  iV  Co Musical  Insts. 

iV  S ('"ounilry. 

II Feed. 

.1 \\  ngons. 

M H \-  I Co. 

M (! I) (•„. 

M iV  N W S M ( •(). 

-M F Cigur.s. 

•M M iS:  Co Fhnir  Ma. 

chiiiery. 
X iS;  I) Doors,  Sashes,  etc. 


&   H- 


.Printfrs. 


i) H.  A Coni'n. 

P F Wine..,  etc. 

P E.  n.  \-  Co Coni'n. 

P A.  P.,  Son  fi  Co Soap,  etc. 

P A Miller. 

P (1 Sashes,  Doors,  etc. 

P 1).  (} u.  !•:.  Agent  and 

Trip  llannner. 

W.  C Agl  IinpItB 

J Fruit,  etc. 

H.  &  Co Clothing. 

P.  Jr Coni'n. 

1 Distiller. 

Bros Whol.  I.iiiuors. 

A.  &  Co Jewellers. 

U Wines  and   l,i(juora. 

J (J.  S. 

J.    II H.    E,  Wood,  etc. 

S J.  &  Co ■.  Bridge  Huililers. 

C.  A Furniture. 

(' Wood  iiiid   Coal. 

&  P Ales  and  l/iquors. 

M &  Co (jeiit'a  Furn'g 

(ioihIs. 

&■  Co Books. 

•  \'  C Pub'rs,  etc. 

.  11 Mnfr.  Httt.8. 

S &  Co Lumber. 


K- 
H- 

K- 
U- 
U- 

U- 
II- 

S- 
S- 
S- 


;  Hi 


mi 


i4 


U 


264 


u- 
vv- 
w- 
vv- 
w- 


TlIE   COMMERCIAL  AGENCIES. 


A Com'n. 

•  J.  I'.  &  Co Coin'u. 

J-  W Prod,  and  Coin'ii. 

•  W.  A BilliardN. 

■  E Boots  and  Shoes. 


^V It.  J.  C Fruit,  etc. 

^V A Tobacco  and  Ciprars. 

W J.T Packer. 

\V &  M Afe'-l  Imj)lt.s. 

i2 &  R Jewellers. 


[to  be  continued.] 


MOBILE,  ALA. 


B- 
B- 
B- 


B- 
C- 
C- 
C- 

c- 
c- 
c- 
u- 

D- 
D- 
D- 
F- 
F- 
G- 
G- 
G- 
H- 
H- 
K- 
L- 


I,- 


—  T.  S Books  and  Stationery. 

—  W.  A Drugs. 

—  11 &  Co Drayagc  and 

Storage. 

—  J Coni'n. 

-U.  W Drugs. 

—  Mrs.  M.  C Hotel. 

—  P.  Z Drugs. 

—  L.  &  Co Cigars. 

—  K.  W.  &  Co Produce. 

—  J.  &  Co Cotton  Coni'n. 

-J D.  (1. 

—  &  W (Jro. 

—  J.I)  Ilarne.ss. 

—  J.  A Furniture. 

-S Gen.  Store. 

—  L.  (i.  &  Co Com'n  Prod. 

—  K.  L.  &  Co Tobacco. 

—  G Jeweller. 

—  C V Co. 

—  I.  L Drugs. 

—  E.  V Cotton  Com'n. 

—  S.  N.  &;  Co Dredgers. 

—  J.  &  Co Founiier.i. 

—  B.  II Boots  and  Slioes. 

—  Mrs,  M Boots  and  Shoes. 


M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

'  M- 

I  N- 

i  P- 

i  P- 

I  1 - 
P- 

P- 

!  R- 

s- 
s— 
s— 

T- 
T- 
W- 
Y- 
Z— 


-  M Cotton  Factor. 

-  1.  A.  &  Co Com'n. 

-  &  Son Cotton  Brokers. 

-  J Livery  Stable. 

-  D Furniture. 

-F &Co D.  G. 

-  G.  H Boots  and  Shoes. 

-  ^V.  H Auction. 

-A.  J Safes. 

-  M Furniture. 

-C.  D Gro. 

-  &  P Cotton  Pickery. 

-  L.  &  Co Gro. 

-  A.  A.  &  Co Coni'n  Prod. 

-  \V.  D Soids,  etc. 

-C Whol.  Hardware. 

-  A.  B.  &  Bro Cotton  Press. 

-E.  R R.  E.  and  Ex.  Bkr. 

-  J.  F.  &  Co Gro.  and  Com'n. 

-  1 Co. 

-  R.  E Prod.  Com'n. 

-  &  C Lumber. 

-  W.  L Cotton  Factor. 

-G.  W Hotel. 

O.  &  B Furniture. 


[TO  EE  CONTINUED.] 


' 


TUE   SYSTEM    EXPOSED. 


265 


MOISTTHEAL,  QUE. 


A A.  &  E Imps.  Lsather. 

A E Banker. 

A &  ("o Fey  Ods. 

B E.  I.  &  Co Livery. 

H &  S Exi)retis. 

B \V.  II Crockery. 

B W.  I'.  &  Co Founders. 

B B Contractor. 

B S.  W.  &  Co Coal. 

B A.  H Liquors. 

B E Coal  Oil. 

B C Provisions. 

B A   &  Co Furs. 

B J Butcher. 

B &C D.  tJ. 

B I).  &  Co Coni'n  Merchants. 

C \\.  A.  &  Co. . .  .Coffou  and  Spice 

Mills. 

C S.  &Co D.  (J. 

C J.  B D.  (J. 

C J.  &  Co Soda  Water. 

0 C.  E Wines,  etc. 

^ A Trader. 

D N.  A:  Co Bkrs. 

D &  P Cijrurs. 

1) S.  &  Co Mnfr.-*.  Ci;rars. 

D J Contractor. 

I> E Hotel. 

D &M Gro. 

D I.N D.  (J. 

E U Com'u  Teas. 

E II.  &  Co Imps.  Cijjars,  etc. 

F U Marble  Works. 

a &Co D.  (J. 

<i M &  Co Oro. 

U J.  <1 Lithographer. 

W E.  E Machinist. 

U 

G 

II 

II 

H 

II 

H 

H 

H 

H 

K 

K 


L- 
I^ 

h- 
I>- 
L- 


S Tailor. 

F Mnfr.  Trusses. 

&  Co . .  .Lumber. 

J.   X.  it  Co.  .  .Whol.  Ilurdware. 

D.  A Fancv  (ioods. 

T.  W.  &Bro Liquors. 

&  S Fwdrs. 

M.  &  Son Mnli's.  Hats. 

E.  Fils  &  Co. . .  .Dry  Goods,  etc. 

B Whol.  Oro. 

&  Co Machinisls. 

W.  L.  &  C'o Engin'rs'  Agts. 

K A Co(ij)er. 

L U.  &  Co Produce. 


L- 
L- 
L- 
L- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
O- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
H- 
U- 
It- 
U- 
U- 
U- 
U- 
H- 
S— 
J« 

S— 

s— 

s 

T— 
T— 
T— 
V_ 
W- 
Y— 


-  H Lumber. 

-  L.  II.  &  Co Whol.  I).  G'ds. 

-  F Lumber. 

-  A Carpenter. 

-  H. Flour. 

-  T.  &  Co Boots  and   Shoes. 

-  J. .  .Whol.  Jeweller,  and  Fancy 

(ioods. 

-  M Iloopskirts,  etc. 

-  I).  E.  &  Co Drugs  and  Oils. 

-  W.  F.  &Co Wines. 

-  C.  B.  &  Co Lumber. 

-  L,  &■  Son Brokers. 

-P.  P.  &Co Whol  D.  Od.-^. 

-J Agent. 

-a  I Gro. 

-  W' Straw  Works. 

-  L> Leather. 

-  &  Co Lumber. 

-  <fc  .^ Forwarders. 

-  W.  M Iron  Work.s. 

-  II.  &  Co Dry  Gootls. 

-U.  W Coni'n  I).  <}. 

-  M.  &  Co Lumber. 

-  P Wood  and  Coal. 

-  J.  &  It Whol.  Dry  Goods. 

-  C.  E Furniture. 

-W MilLs. 

-  J Jeweller. 

-J Mnfr.  Cider. 

-  L.  &  Co Printers. 

-  W.  II.  &Co Com'n. 

-  T.  &  Co Paper  and  Stat'rs. 

-P.  A Lumber. 

-  G.  L.  &  Son Shoes. 

-  P Dry  Goods. 

-  &  J Oils,  etc. 

-  B.  &  Co Fancy  (loous. 

■A Confec. 

O,  &Co Whol.  Gro. 

!).&  J Hooks. 

I'.  E Lfiither. 

Bros.  &  C Tanners. 

II.  J.  &  Co. ......  .Auctioneers. 

M.  &  Co Shoes. 

E.  H.  &  Co Shoes. 

.M Dry  Goods. 

■  X.  &  Co Iron  Foun<lers. 

-  &;  F Shoo  Findings. 

J.  M Prov. 


[TO  BE  CONTIKUEl).] 


' 


11 


(I- '  I 


2(50 


TllK   COMMERCIAL   AGENCIES. 


I^ASnVILLE,  TENI^. 


A- 
A- 

A- 
A- 
H- 
H- 
15- 
H- 


A.  I,. 

(' A.  NV 

(■- 
«'- 
('- 
{'- 
(•- 
(■- 
('- 
C- 


•  U.  F Ilardwnri'. 

I''.  M CarriiifrcH. 

•  iV  A IcwclltTrt. 

.'    W Hoofs  and   KliofH. 

iV  Co \uclioii  and  ('oin'ii. 

cV  .1 Luiiil)ei'. 

iV  P Coiu'ii. 

\-  Co ratriit. 

SciUrH. 


])- 

K-- 
I'- 
I'- 
F- 
0- 
<J- 


a- 
II- 

H- 

II- 

11- 
II- 
11- 
1- 


K- 

L- 
h- 
L- 
M- 
M- 


-  J ...  .ClothiiifT. 

-  Hros liUnilxT. 

-  W (Jro. 

-  K Dry  (Joods. 

-  i*c  Co (iro. 

-  .1.  <).  &  Co U.  S. 

-  \'  Co Auction. 

IJ.  H Shoes. 

-  1).  I) Mill. 

-  V iV  (  1) ni-ny:". 

-  v..  II Cotton  Broker. 

-  K Hotel. 

-  K.  iV  Co Hoots  and  Shoes. 

-  li.  1 Dni^'-s. 

-  \\.  C.   &  Co Saw  Mill. 

-II Clotliinfr. 

-  .1.  V.  k  Co Fancy  (Joods. 

-  C.  H Hoots  and  Shoes,  etc. 

-  &  Soi Coni'n. 

-(J.  \V DruKs. 

-  W.  'J' Cotton  and  Coiu'n. 

-  &  Son Dental  Depot,  etc. 

-  S Clothinff. 

Miss  E Milliner. 


M- 
M- 
N- 
N- 
N- 
O- 
1'- 
P- 
H- 
W- 
1!- 
\i- 
S- 
S- 
S— 


T- 
T- 
T- 
V- 


-  &  W Rpstatirant. 

-  C Printer. 

-  J.  N.  &  Co l,eatlier,  etc. 

-  J.  E.  A:  Co Fancy  (ioods. 

-J.  A.  iV  Hro ■  .Music. 

-M 1  try  Goods   and   Hoots 

and  Shoes. 

-  II &  Co Oro. 

-  J.  &  Sons Saddlery,  etc. 

-C T- —  Co. 

-  ( ' S — —  ( ) ( 'o. 

-  &  II Clothinjr,  etc. 

■  A Hoots  and  Slioes. 

-  T Cotton  Speculator. 

-  S.  &  Son Clothinjr. 

-  !Mrs.  ]■'.  F (jients'  Furn'jr. 

(J.  A:  Co D.  ({. 

-C.  1 tiro. 

-.1.  A.  J Clothing. 

T.  F Pholof;fra|)her. 

II.  O H.  E.  Agent. 

(' &  \i Co. 

&  P Carpenters  and 

Huilders. 

II.  C Oils. 

N —  r — . 

&  P Hrowery. 

S.  &   Co Leather,  etc. 

-  &  C Hoots  and  Shoes. 

-1.&  Co Jewellers. 

-Mrs.   E Millinery. 

-J Mer.  Tailor. 

-\V.  E F S . 


[TO  BE  C()NT).Nri:D.,l 


THE  SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


267 


l^EWARK,  Ts^.  J. 


A- 

A- 

A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
U- 
U- 
('- 
('- 

(;- 

D- 
D- 
E- 
E- 
F- 
G- 
U- 
(J- 
II- 
II- 
11- 
II- 


-  F Fertilizers. 

-  II.   H Jewelry. 

-  &   *' Stoves. 

-.1   <; Oilcloth. 

-  iS:  S BrewerH. 

-  1> hiiiiiber,  etc. 

■  <' iV  Co iMiicliinir^ts. 

•I* Coiitnictor. 

II T Co. 

M Co. 

M (',,. 

•  \V.  J.  . .    Boots  and  Shoos. 

■  t^ .Morocco. 

■I Livery. 

A.    I. Undertaker,  etc. 

•I Soda. 

H.J En<jine.-<. 

A Imp.  Wines. 

A Hooks,  etc. 

•  ('•_ Contractor. 

^^ .  ^^ cooper. 

<'.  II Slater. 

W.  A.  tV  Co ClothiiiiT. 


Iv- 
M- 
M- 
.M- 
.M- 
.M- 
.M- 
-\- 
()- 
l>- 
1{- 
H- 
H- 
S- 
S- 
T- 
T- 
V- 
\V- 
VV- 
\V- 
Z- 


-  M Co. 

-  -J .  II Wagons. 

-.M I'rov. 

-  1* Li<|uors. 

-J Hats. 

-  L.  B -Mattresses. 

-  S &  Co Machinists. 

-J.  &  .M.  A Livery. 

_T T Co. 

-  M Spring  Mnfr. 

-  C Co. 

-J.   II Sprinirs. 

-&  s I  link. 

-\V H:,„,s. 

■I Brewer. 

■  &•  S Flour,  etc. 

-  <fc  W Boots. 

.  K Co. 

-  N Silverplator. 

-  '^ Boots,  etc. 

-  (.'.  &  15 Brewers. 

-  J Xi'ws  DejKjt. 

&  B Pltimbers. 


[to  be  continued.] 


XEW-IIATEIT,  CT. 


A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 


■  A I.nrs.  B- 

.  N L &  T Co.  H- 

•  J Ovsters.  15- 

•  II Architect.  B- 

(J.  -M House  .Mover.  :   B- 

J Hotels.  B- 

(i.  A Lqrs.  B- 

<^'  W Boots  and  Shoes.  B- 

\y.  A Uagiierreian.  B- 

T .....Uro.  B- 

M Co.  I  B- 


•  S:  T> Bros. . .  .Gents'  Furn'g. 

■  W Builder. 

■C.  W Hotel. 

•F.  S,  &Co H'dwaiv. 

I.  -M Dnii^s. 

•  \V.  H.  &  Co....Mnfrs.  Couches. 

M.  P Conset  Mnfr. 

S 0.  (i. 

■  F Boots  and  Shoes. 

I^ <ien.  Store. 

<-* Cigars,  etc. 


20S 


THE   COMMERCIAL  AGEN'CIES. 


B- 
B- 
B- 

U- 
t- 
C- 

c- 

C- 
C"- 

c- 
c- 
('- 
c- 

C- 

c- 
c- 

D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
E- 
E- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
O- 
G- 


«- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
H- 
11- 
J- 
L- 
L- 
L- 


-&S Stk  Bkrs. 

-J IlarneBsiiikr. 

-  P Lqrs. 

-C.  L  Cubtmkr. 

-  &  Co H'dwaro  Mnfrs. 

-  L.  &  Co Inditt-HubbtT. 

-  &  Co Publishers. 

-  J.  E Dry  und  Fey  Udf. 

-U.  T Hotel. 

-  J.  G   Flour  and  Feed. 

-  H.  1).  &  Co Bldrs"  Muteriuls. 

-  E.  A Ptiperhaugings,  etc. 

-  i) E Co. 

-  P W P Co. 

-&  S Wbol.  Prod. 

-  &  Co Carriages. 

-  F.  A.  &  Co Stoves,  etc. 

-C.  C.  &Co SliirtH. 

-B &Co D.  G. 

-  W.  J.  &J.  E Tinners. 

-II.  P Mnir. 

-W.  P Builder. 

-  T  Ilarnessnikr. 

-C S Vo. 

-H Gro. 

-  &  P Mttcliinerv. 

-E Hotel. 

-C.  P Gro. 

-  P Bn;weiy. 

-  Bros Publiphcrs. 

-  I{.  11... Printer  and  Steam  Hcat- 

injjf. 

-J.  L .Harne.ssmkr. 

-B Ueal  Ef^tiUe. 

-  E Steel  Shanks,  etc. 

-  C.  F Auctioneer. 

-  A.  J.  &C() Builders. 

-D.  M Hotel. 

A.  G Fruit. 

-  &  B Lumber. 

•  II.  II Gro.  and  Prov. 

-  E Lumber. 


L- 
L- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
N- 
O- 
O- 

P- 
p- 
p- 
P- 

K- 
U- 
K- 
H- 
K- 
K- 
S- 

s- 

S- 

s- 

T- 
T- 
T- 
\V- 
\V- 
W- 


-  A Boots  and  Shoes. 

.  w F Co. 

-  J.  T Perfumery  Mnfr. 

-\V Gro. 

-  P Gro. 

-P.. Lqrs. 

-  &.  S Iron  Foundry. 

-  M ■  Co Needles 

-  C Tobacco. 

_  E F Co. 

-  F Oysters. 

-F.  O Wire  Works. 

-  E.  P Window  Springs. 

-  F Leather. 

-  C Ins. 

-  W HilliardH. 

-M.&S 1).  G. 

-  F Saloon. 

-J.  C Tailor. 

-J.  G.  &Co Ins. 

-  &  O Tobacco. 

-  W Gro. 

-  C.  H Mnfr.  Coach  Lace. 

-J.  S Fey  Gds,  etc. 

-  Bro.  &  Co Brass. 

-J.  II Pickles. 

- 1.  J Heal  Estate. 

-  D.  F (las  Fixtures. 

-S Broker. 

-  W.  J Musical  Insts. 

-  B.  N.  &  Co Oysters. 

-  II.  J Boots  and  Shoes. 

■  C.  &  C Hoots  and  Shoes. 

II.  B Gro. 

S Iron. 

J Gro. 

■  G Flour. 

■  J.  E Stoves. 

•J.  D Drugs. 

-  II.  N.  &  Co Crockery. 

-  B A C"o. 

-  J.  M Picture  Frames. 


i'.j;:" 


[to  be  continued.] 


ta) 


' 


THE  SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


209 


NEW-ORLEANS,  LA, 


^ J-   Z: Variety. 

•    A <».  E ^rn. 

.  Jr,  •  •  •, Driiffs. 

A C.  VV.&Co   Com'n. 

A U.  &  Co Brewery. 

« i    ^' Bakery. 

," I- Tinamith. 

'* "-^  -^ Whol.  Boots  and 

,,  ,  „  Shoe.s. 

J* J &  Co.  Whol.  Hoots,  Shoes, 

I>.  «     etc 

B I.  &  Co Wl,„l.  Gro.' 

Jl ''•  &  Co \vi,„l.  (jro. 

]\ -^J Whol.  Millinery. 

— -   : Tailor. 

« H (".  H.  Broker. 

B &  C Whol.  H'dwarc. 

5 -l Paints. 

g ;' Exchange. 

, . •/,■  *^ Lumber. 

), I' Conrii. 

^ V-  ^^' »r<'ki"r. 

J; „  "^ Wines,  etc. 

^ "•  Y Bonded  Warehouse. 

J^  ^-  •  -^ Coltoii  iMiclor. 

^ "^  ^V Steani  Cotton 

(Junnery. 

'-^  J Foundry. 

<^' W Chxliing. 

V T.  M.&  Co com'a. 

<; W.  C.  &  Co Wliol.  Grain. 

^ T.  a P]anter.s'  Agent  and 

,,  ^  Com'n. 

^' -T.  n Saloon. 

C H.  &  W I)    ,; 

^ ',';•' Oils  and  liaiiips. 

1> T.  &.  Sons I)  (J    , 

» — P ■.■.■■.d.g" 

D J   A Ho,,.]. 

J? I' Blksmith. 

}■:( ^^ I'ianos. 

^ A Oro.  and  CofTce.    ' 

I, V AloBotthT. 

I i'-,; ^'ro.   I 

' V~: —  '^^^ Com'n.    i 

l; «  '> Bldng  .Materials. 

^ j--- Saloon. 

f ^^^.  J Builder,  etc.    ; 

"         ^ Sugar  Broker,   i 


^} ^ Stoves. 

.  i\ \\- Tailor. 

(  M.  &  Son Com'n. 

O Bros Hntj,. 

}} •/•  « Broker. 

[  }  I^--- Tailor. 

f} *^-  &  <^'" Cotton  Factors. 

I  \\ J-  E.  &  Co Heataurant. 

i  {{ P Mill,  etc. 

>      f,^/ Cotton. 

I  " •!  ;; Com'n. 

!  jj J-  ^^1 Powder. 

!  ^1 L Coffee  House  and  Wood- 

1  --          „  ,,  yard. 

I  II &  >r Produce. 

•i  {I A-  ^V^ Stationery. 

i   \ «.  B.&CO Saloon. 

!  J J.  W Builder. 

•> I; Books. 

■  i- — w^? <^'""'- 

;  j^ W.  A Oil  and  Lamps. 

:  ^ E Fancy  and  D.  G. 

j  L G.  II.  W Boots. 

I  J" I D.  G. 

!  J ^••- D.O. 

'  L '•  '^-  &  »Son Notions,  etc. 

'<  I" V Gro. 

I  ^ •^-  <• Com'n  Cotton. 

!  Y '^  B siiip  Brokers. 

i  }■' P Cemetery  Marble. 

It         ^'  Brewer. 

\\ /; Uro. 

^1  " Fancy  Goods. 

^1 1^ Clothing,  etc. 

M N Q.G. 

M G.  F Com'n  Coal. 

^[         •',  • ; Produce. 

tV '''*•  '*' Crockery,  etc. 

{, <^;  T Ilay  ami  Feed. 

' E Cotton  Brkr. 

Q F.  A Nursery. 

« Mr.s.  C Millinery. 

« J Saloon. 

Jl         ^^ Boots,  etc. 

\\ E.  Ji Furniture. 

1^ *' Oro. 


270 


TJIK  COMMKUCIAL   AGKN'CIES. 


R 1 Suloon.  1  H— 

U &  Co HMwur.).  I  S— 

B J Cnxkcrv.  '  K— 

S J.  A HooiH.  i  T- 

K &  H <ir<).  T- 

K V MooiH.  I  T- 

S T I-.-utli<T.  i  T- 

K n Vari.-ty.  !  T- 

S M.  A:('i) ll'dwurc,  L'tc  |  V— 

S A  K llice.  I  V- 

H I) Slutionirv.  W- 

S J.  U (Jro.  '  \V- 

S J.  (J (iro.,  etc.  \V- 

8 M &  Co Coni'ii.  I  \V- 


J Brokor. 

&  M Cr(M'k<Tv, 

(i Miirbfe. 

&  A Ci)tton. 

H.   K (iro. 

W.C D.  (>. 

•  &  Co MdHo.  HkfH. 

•  .M (iro,,  cic. 

■  A;  1$ WincH,  etc. 

-  C UootH. 

-J.J Hr.wory. 

-  M I'aiiit.s. 

-  l'\  k  Co Uiilchi'rH. 

-&  M Clotliinjf 


[to    UK    CONTINUED.. 


]s'C)ptr()Lnv,  YA. 


f.. 


A J.  S.  H Fnnry  OnodH,  etc. 

1{ \V.  n.  &  Co Coin'n. 

B A.  S.  &  Co Whol.  (iro.,  t-tc. 

li li D.  (i. 

H W.  &  \V I).  (1.,  ctr. 

H S (iro.  and  Li(|. 

H J).  1< Curriug*!  .Miifv. 

B B.   B Coinii. 

C A &U I),  a.,  etc, 

C &  II Coiu'ii. 

K n OjHtcr  I'ack.r. 

K &   I' Crorkcrv. 

F K 1).  (i.,  etr. 

a J.  ().  Jr Lumber  and  Coal. 

a J.    it Stoves,  i^tc. 

(i &  (.' Miifr.'<.  Funnels. 

(i M &  Co Finnitiire. 

a — J.  w 0.  s. 

II W.  T,  &i  Son L'i)hol.st<-rer8. 


II- 
II- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
L- 
M- 
M- 
H- 
S- 
S— 

s- 

T- 
V- 
V- 
\V- 
W- 

w- 


■  W.  T.  &Co VVliol.  Gro. 

-  W.  T Confec,  «3tc. 

-Mrs.  B LiqiiorH. 

-  I''.   I J I)nn(B. 

-J.  H Tailor. 

VV Sliiiipiiifr  and  Corn'n. 

-A.  A Luinher. 

-  K.  W.,  Son  &  Co Hardware. 

•  HroH.  &  Co (-'oni'n. 

I, Furniture,  etc. 

.] &  I., Wliol.  (iro. 

and  Com'n. 

S.  \V Whol.  IJ(|iiorH. 

F ic  W .Whol.  Ildwar-. 

-  K.  &  ( 'o Liijiiors. 

■  1) Co. 

-  B.  F Prod.,  etc. 

-  S Boots  and  Shoes. 

-&1I Uro. 


[to   IlK   tONTINCED.  I 


f 


TIIK   SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


271 


OSWEGO,    X.  Y. 


A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
I{- 


H- 
B- 
J}- 
('- 
(■- 
('- 
]>- 
J)- 
F- 
F- 
G- 
(1- 
H- 
II- 
II- 
II- 


-ff.W !).(,. 

~  ^ 1).  <<.  mill  .ViitiotiH. 

~  *' Cujjitali.st. 

■A l|„t„). 

-I'M-: (ir... 

-  IJ-  I) I.'wcll.  r. 

''' Moot.s  iind  SIkich. 

-''•<>; Clotl.iiiir. 

"  '  ■  •' Toldicro. 

vy.  (i Oil. 

' Piii  liter. 

'* Sitf^lM's,  ou: 

■^  MoiiH ('!irriiif,'i'H. 

■  A &(•<> Mill<M-s. 

•'•  ^  <'<> (Jro. 

{^■&ll Clothintr. 

' • (iro. 

J^ &  <'<> I.iiiiiljer. 

^1* _ 'uiik,  <tc.  ! 

''; Fish  mill  l'"ruit. 

'I' LuilllxT. 

^•^ Boots  unci  fcjlioc'H.  i 


■' f* rom'n. 

^— ,t <'-o. 

.C  Vi l-i'|iiorH. 

>i  I I  |)li()I.-<tcn'r. 

■;| '  •'       !».(;. 

M ,S;  M IJrok.IH,  etc 

M ?'•     '* <'ll.t)liM>,'. 

*' •'•  ''(^  <'" Ua.sliitiiiirH. 

<> M Co. 

O I» Co, 

'! •' Tailor. 

, \- I'aint.s. 

' ^* (iro. 

I.&W ur„. 

[} ''•  H l.wHler. 

t ''•'•' Took 

}- «  '5 I'aiiitcrH. 

;,,  '^ I'iituit:  Fraiiii'H. 

" <-'iI Uuildur. 


[to  BK  C'J.NTIN'CEU.  1 


J^ATEP.SOX,  :\.  J. 


•*  '^ Hiiriiis^. 

A C.  a  A:  (V, MiilVs.  Silk. 

''  -'■ Liipiors, 

'f ';•  J-,  •'!• Silk  Mill.s. 

*^ '■' LaiiipH  ami  Oil. 

^'  J^' Scrap  Iron. 

'' '^  JI Crockiry. 

'' •' Contractor. 

'■ ''' (iro. 

!; V',^' I>r"f,'H. 

'; «   I' DyerH. 

{} ^J'" Furnitiin-. 

'i >V^ Cottons,  etc. 


,V ■^  " I'aintrr. 

II ^■'' .Miller. 

'" •' Cotton  .MilJH. 

I nroH , Silk. 

^  ■'•  '' l''aiiry  ( iooils 

^, -l Hotel. 

W H C fo. 

^y -^f Co Mailiiiiislfi. 

J  " Tinsmith. 

^' •'■  I' Hotel. 


[to   UE   CO.NTIN-fED.] 


272 


TU£  COMMEUCIAL  AGIINCIKS, 


! 


i 


PiriLiU)ELPIIIA,  PA. 


A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
]{- 


B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 


B- 
B- 


■J.  K Clothing. 

■J Coul. 

■  H.  Jr Coal. 

•'J'.  M Klourand  Feed. 

■E Clotliing. 

-  S Clotliing. 

-  W.  K.  &  Co Sashes,  etc. 

■  &  K Lumber. 

■A Liquors. 

-  P B Co. 

-  (j.  &  Co Miifiic. 

-&B10 Colli. 

-V.  E 1).  (}. 

•  D Hatter. 

-  E.  D Lumber. 

-  V &  Co Queensware. 

■It Uriat  Mill. 

■  W Shoes. 

-  II &  Co.Mnfis.  Sewing  Silk. 

.  II &  L Co. 

•  S.  W   Tobacco. 

■C.  W.,  Jr Flour. 

■J Furniture. 

T.  W Jeweller. 

J.  J.  &  Co.  Hosiery,  Notions,  etc. 

•  F.  &  Co Brandies. 

II.  A U.  E.  Agent. 

S.  M 'I'iiilor. 

•  E Hotel. 

■J Mnfr.  Shawls. 

J.  V (jients'  Furn'g. 

-  &  S Files. 

-  P Stoves,  etc. 

■  A.  &  J.  B D.  (f. 

-  W.  T Spar-yanl. 

-II Gro.,  etc. 

-  W (jro. 

-  Bros H'dwarc. 

-  &  S .• t  lotliinir. 

-  T.  &  Bro Finishers. 

-I Brewer. 

-&  U D.«. 

-  E Notion.s. 

-  D.  &  Son Coppersmiths. 

-  A.  &  Bro Lumber. 

-  &  0 Factors. 

-J Wines. 

-C Lqrs. 

-11 Machinists'  Tools. 


B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 


B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 


C- 
C- 
C- 

C- 
C- 

C- 
C- 
C- 

C- 

c- 

C- 

c- 
c- 
c- 
c- 

C- 

C- 

c- 
c- 
c- 
c- 


E Mnfr.  Carpets. 

D C &  I Co. 

Jj.&  Co Hatters. 

&  F Li<]uorK. 

F.  E lloni.  DriifTgist. 

■  (}.  &.  Co Japanned  Ware. 

■  &  (1 Chemists. 

•  Mrs.  J . Crockery. 

Bros Mnfrs.  Paper. 

•  VV.  II.  &Co Lumber. 

•  &  Bros. . .  .Hosiery,  0 loves,  etc. 

E Colli. 

&  Co Mnfrs. 

M Co Machinery. 

•  J.  O.  &Co Cars. 

•  &  Bros Whol.  Dyestufts. 

&  Son Printers. 

D.  &  Bro Lumber. 

M C Co. 

W.  K.  &  Co Iron  Pipes. 

&  M Liquors. 

P Coal. 

J   Painti  r. 

■  P &  \V .  .L Works. 

■  E Millinery. 

&  K Tin  Plate,  etc. 

•  S.  S.  &  Co  Confectionerv. 

&  A Sash  Mill. 

W.  P. 

G,  W. 


II- 


&  Co. 


T 


..D.  G. 
.Whol. 
Drugs. 


M- 
E. 


—  Co Sleeping-Cars. 

Co. 

W.  &  Co Brokers. 

■J.  S Hanges  and  Stoves. 

•  T Com'n  Merchant. 

■T.  &  W Liquors. 

■  M.  Jr.  B &  N Co. 

J D.  G. 

•  J Hotel. 

•J H'dware. 

■  S.  I.  &  Co. . .    .Flour  and  Grain. 

-  &  Jiro ( tro. 

-S Whol.  Linen  Gda. 

-  F Soap. 

■  S.  v' Auction  and  Com'n. 

-  J.  W.  &  Bro. . .  .Mnfrs.  F'cy  Ca- 

binet Ware. 

-  W.  &  Sods.. Ships  and  Engines. 


TlIK   SY.STKM   EXPOSED. 


27;] 


c- 

c- 
(;- 

V- 

<•- 

D- 
D- 
D- 
])- 
])- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D— 
E- 

E— 
E— 

]•:— 
J']— 

F— 
1-' — 
F — 
1' — 
F — 

a — 
(J — 
(J — 
(i — 
If — 
II — 

II — 
II — 

K — 
K — 


■&. 

•(*, 
& 
J. 
E, 
H 
L. 
K 
J. 
J. 
T. 
li. 
II. 


Co 

&    SoilH 

K .. 


<'uip{?t8. 

\Viii('H. 

Kuiikcrs. 

lUiildcr. 

Cutholic  Uku. 

■■•: Miifr. 

"V  (  o..  .Wluil.  Millinery  Ud'H. 

Flour,  etc. 

; Miiliiu-ry. 

'■''^  J MiifrH.  Woollens. 

•^  <'" Mnfrs.  IIoHierv. 

^^'>'^^ Cliina. 

■?"  J^''" Liquors. 

■I Co. 

'^''V^'. lUnkcrs. 

J.  Ki\;  (Sons l'aintii\fr,s  and 

I'ookjn^f  (ilas.si's. 

•J;  '■^  W"" Sonp. 

;', ;•• '''f>3H,  otc. 

Ji ^^'> liiinkt 

1 Co, 

J-  *  t'o. Com'n  D.  (i. 

I'—;-  '^  ^' Notions. 

\l  ^' (ien'l  Com'n, 

J* &  Co Whol.  Druijs 

lJro.'<.  t*;-  15 ..Wliol.  Clothiiiir 

C I' i>         "..  ^ 


kers. 


It- 


it  Co. 


c 


,   „  Coal. 

-  &  C S 1' li (■„_ 

"  J, Brewery. 

"  {\;: '^<-'<' Hrickiiikr.s. 

-  >>  •  W Mn!r.  Biljles  and 

Albums. 

"f  ^,1' ; Oils. 

-  <k  II Co. 

-^}}}' Hotel. 

■  '■^  •-• Mnfrs.  Cottuf^o 

^     .  Furniture. 

&  b S p i> Co, 


I  U 

IM- 
I  M- 
!  .M- 

M- 
i  M- 

M- 
I  <>- 

J'- 

I  1'- 
;  I'll 

!  Ph 

;  I'll 

p- 

p- 
p- 
p- 

u- 
u- 

H- 
R- 
IJ- 
li- 
I{- 
R- 
R- 
S- 
S- 
S— 


N &  H Supnr  Ke- 

liners. 

Stationer. 

iquor  and  Distiller. 
.  . .  .Cotton  Brokers. 


iV  C, 


-  w, . 

-  T.  J . 

-S 

-.V  IJro 

-  W.  C.  it  (\> 

-II.  U 

•J.  S.  &  Son. 


.(Jen'i  Com'n. 

Hrokors. 

. .  .Maeliinist. 
.<Jrain. 


C(i 


.Coal. 


S- 
S- 

s- 

S- 
S- 
S- 
S- 


-  .1.  \V.  it  Sou I.ei.ther 

7~'V  •'''■<'" Cum'n  Cotto;.. 

ladeljiliia  C Co. 

iladelpliia  P H .M Co 

iladel|)liia  it  S M C,,. 

-  S.  R.  &  Son Whol.  and  Ret. 

Saddler8. 

-  I Co. 

-R.  II 

-C it  1 

-^lif Whol.  D.  (.'. 

~  ^^-  ^  ^'» Mnfr.s.  and  Cimi'n. 

~i-\yr t'<"'ks- 

-I'-  ^^ Tobacco. 

-'Ji-  "^  C" Lumber. 

~  i     ,:; '■"'*  (Generator. 

~  ^,- ;; Inip.  I)ruj,'s. 

-  S.  T.  it  Sou Buililers. 

-  P .^I-—  Co. 

"  ^f &  Co Iron  Founder.'^. 

-&X P I{ (-„. 

■  ^^ &  Co Miners  and  Coal 

Shipper.i. 

-  W  .i-ranics,  Looking  Ohis-ses,  etc. 
']).-^^ • Coal. 

-  \\ .  it  A.  .1 Hardware. 

"■;'/' Cari)ets. 

';^-,T^V" •, ''"i'^''" 

«'•  ^  •  <t  ^  >> Carjjet  Yarns. 

J Builder. 


[to   he   CO.NriNTKD.] 


f 


274 


THE   COMMJiUCIAL   AUENCIK3. 


:'  fi 


PITTSBUPvOn,    l^A. 


■\  \ 


'0, 


A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 

A- 
A- 
A- 
H- 
IJ- 
H- 
H- 


H- 
M- 

li- 
U- 


B- 
B- 
J^ 
IJ- 
Tl- 
]J- 
1}- 
('- 
(•- 

(;- 

C- 
(•- 
C- 
(V- 
(•- 


c;- 
c- 
('- 
('- 
('- 
(•- 


c- 

Vr- 


-  .F Il'W(.'lllT. 

-  .1 Lumber. 

-  V |{ ('.). 

-  H M Co Sash 

lialunccs. 

-  ]).  D.  iS.  Co Urn. 

-  .1.  < ' MoliiHscH  Cims. 

-  C.  II.  i^  Son I'oiil  und  Cokrj. 

-  S.H (iro. 

- .).  .1.  &  Hi'o Toimcco. 

-T 'IVuH. 

-  W.  A.  iV  I'.ro.  .IJoota  and  SIhk'S. 

-  ^V.  I? Contractor. 

-  S Mer.  Tailor. 

-C.C ...Oil. 

■  &  S iMdi-o.  Hrokcrs. 

-.r (Vml. 

-T.  1..  &  Co .Mnfrs.  Ollico 

Furniture,  etc. 

-  .Mrs.   AI NoiiouH. 

■  N.  N Huiidor. 

-A U'wure  and  (iro. 

■ .) Wines,  etc. 

-  .T.  M.  &  Son Boilers. 

-  H.  \V.  &  Co Min.'ral  Water. 

■  \V.  &  Son Lund  DeulerH. 

.1.   U WifTH. 

■  .\ l.icjuorH. 

.1.  M.  it  Co Wind.  Jiiijuorti. 

Bros Stained  UIuks. 

1 Co. 

■  T Co (ilasswnre,  etc. 

() U Co. 

.1.  W Hotel. 

.\.  .J Hotel. 

C Co. 

S.  P Tobacco,  etc. 

1 Co. 

■T.  M B<K)l8  and  Shoea. 

Jiros.  it  Co PianoH  und 

Musical  InMlH. 

it  W Coal. 

\V.  II C;iotldn{,',  Hats,  etc. 

(J.  it  Co JcwCilerH. 

it  1' 11.  E.  Ajrenta. 

■1.  A Notions. 

■  ,1 Brick.s. 

.T.  15 Furniture. 

T Mer.  Tailor. 

■  W Mer.  Tailor. 


I) r C.v. 

I) J.  11 Hn>a.<  I'ounder. 

1) (J Co.  .  .  .  Dialers  (ilaH.swarc. 

I) I Co. 

1) II Mnfr.  Briekfl. 

1) J.  11 l'hy«ic'n  and  Dru^n. 

I) A &«.'<) C.al. 

I) Bros firo.  and  Liq. 

I) .1.  L VVIiol.  Liijuors. 

I) W.  C BootH  und  Siloes. 

K ).  1) Htrnks. 

K I) Whol.  Tobacco. 

K (' T Co. 

!•; &(J Hold. 

K (J fcsculufl,  etc. 

K V Co. 

K 1 Co. 

K 1).  W Variety. 

V W lewell.r. 

F C Hotel. 

F J.   S.  it  Co Distillery. 

F it  l5ro Oil  Dealer.^. 

F Mrs.  C (iro, 

F 1).  11.  it  Son 1).  (J. 

(J B Co Mnlrs.  HrirkH. 

(r C Tnilois'  TrinindnyH. 

a J.  \v.  it  Co !).(}. 

(i it  B Patent  Af;entfl. 

(J S Afjent. 

(i W.J Trunks. 

(i P Silks. 

(i it  M Nuipory. 

(} 1.  ^V' Coni'n  Coal. 

II IF ,tC Co. 

11 W it  Co.  .(iiain.  Flour,  otr. 

11 M.  it  () ..  .Mnfrs.  H.  H.  Iron. 

H it  M l{a<r»,  etc. 

II O.  C l)rMg.H. 

H A.  it  Co Fnj^ine  builder.s. 

H 1>.  P H.  F.  Agent. 

II E Brewer. 

II Ij Lumber. 

11 F.  Jr (iro. 

H W.  &  Co Com'n  Whol. 

Tobacco. 

H W.  A II.  E.  and  Ina.  Agent. 

II J Lumber,  etc. 

11 O.  B.  itCo Brokers. 

H W.  &  W Coal. 

II H.  M CoaL 


MM  iMXimler. 
((ilafiXWHri'. 

Infr.  IJiifks. 
and  Drills. 

Cnul. 

I'D.  1111(1  Liq. 
ml.  l.i(|ii<>ra. 
I  uml  Sli(>(!fl. 

li(M)kB. 

ol.  Tobacco. 

Hotel. 

.Scttll.H,  UtC. 


. . .  .Vnrii'ty. 
..  ..hwclltr. 

Hotel. 

.  .Distillery. 
.Oil  Dealerfl. 

(iro. 

...1).  (J. 


Tin;    SVSTI  M    KXrOSKD. 


T 


liH.  l$ii<kH. 

iinmiii^H. 

....!).(). 
eiit  Agents. 

.  .  .  A}T(!nt. 
, .  .Trunks. 

Silks. 

.  .Nuioery. 
Oni'n  Coal. 

Klour,  otr. 

15.  U.  Iron. 

.Kajrs,  etc. 

....  DnifT.s. 
lie  builder.'*. 

.  I'j.  Agent. 

. .  .  Brewer. 

. .  I.,\nnber. 

(Jro. 

oiu'n  Whol. 
'I'obacco. 

Ins.  Agent, 
junibcr,  etc. 

. . .  Brokers. 
Coal. 

Coal. 


H 


JI- 

H- 
H- 
II- 


.1- 
.1  - 
K- 
K- 
Iv- 
K'-. 
K- 
K- 
I.- 
I.- 
L- 


1.- 
I,- 
I,- 
L- 
L- 
I,- 
I,- 


J.- 

.M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 

y\- 

JI- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 

M- 
M- 
M- 

M- 

M- 


-  .V  H .  . .  .Il4'hln|r  and  Uiibber 

<  jikkIh. 

-  ('.  &  Sun Contractors. 

-  A ii  Co Mnfrs.  M<dts. 

•  ,1.  \V.  .  .Whol.  l/i;,'litiiintr  Hnds, 

,V  Co Saw  .Mill. 

I' Cloihiii;,', 

iV  1! T.-u.H.cic. 

■  1).    M Teas,  etc. 

.1.  J.  A:  r.ni I'ateiit  Hi>,'litH. 

-  1' l.i(|uors. 

-J.  W J.'w.ller. 

-  .S:  Co..  .I'roi.'r.  of  (< \V . 

-(i Till. 

-  I> Harness. 

-  Mrn \'ari<!tv. 

-  W.  .1 I  Mugs. 

-  I Coal. 

-  ().  K irwaiT  and  .Miil'r. 

Hubs. 
-II.    .\ Coni'ii  Iron. 

-  W.  .\.  iV  Co Pianos. 

-  1!.  T Oil   Broker. 

-  U'.  II Funiitiin'. 

-M Trunks. 

-  li.  W Tailor. 

-.V  Co Oil. 

-  ^  C — - Com'n  l'i;r  Mi'tal. 

-  .1 Boots  and  Slnn'S. 

-C.  II U.    K.   Ag.nt. 

-  iV   B — — Ins.  Agi'iits. 

-  .1.  B.  &  Co.  .    -Mnfrs.  Flint  Ola.ss. 

-  S iS:  t'o Iron. 

-  Mrs.  S.  \V.  .  .  .Fancy  (iool.H  and 

•Millinrry. 

-  \.  A Stock  Broker. 

-  II.  H.  \-  Co Mnfrs.  Brooms. 

-.1..1 Whol.  Tens. 

-  1).  A Coal. 

-.1.  S Coal. 

_&  1) Wliol.  I).  (}. 

-  P I/inen  (ioods. 

-  Bros S;;rap  Iron. 

-  I ).  &  Co I  ron, 

-  P it  Co Furnace. 

-  T.  K.  &  Bro Variety. 

-  \V.  F I.eatlirr. 

-  .^I.  K Tobacc<j  Broker. 

-&  Co Hotel. 

-  -M.   L t'arpenter. 

-  C Tailor. 

-  H.   S Tailor. 

-  J Vaiictv. 

-M Clot'.iing. 

-  NV &  Co.    Tanners. 

-  15 of  P— . 

-  C Marble. 

-  I).  A:  Co Mnfr.s.  Patent  Tin 

Cans. 

-  S.  &  Son Furniture. 

-  11 Si  Co. . .  .Whol.  Liquors. 


M P.  H ..Orrt.  nnJ  lAi\ 

-M C.  iV  Bro Cftbinetinkis 

M J.  .M.  &  Co Jewcll.ir 

.M I) 1> iVcCo SpriiigHunil 

Axle.s 

M —     ,';  \       - I()l»  Printers. 

M c.  W Conf.c 

M I-..'.-  A Suw.Mill. 

.M P Oro 

.M S Tin  aial  \V<KKleiuvare. 

N .1 t,'iirriu;{onikr 

N C 11--  Co. 

\ V.  •'.  J.  Co (Joal 

.< W -MiitV.  Color.'d  (JIasrt  Jind 

l'aint<T 

P  -     -  I'.  <  i Biirnin,';  I'Muid. 

P  —  C.  II Hats  luid  ('ii|).s. 

P M C Patent  lor  Steam 

I'.oilers 

■  fiV  — Liquors. 

T.  F 1>.  U. 

.urLdi  \  C S U Co. 

Mirijli  iV;  St.  I I I ("o 

-C.  T Oil. 

—  iV  J Scciiic,  and  Fresco 

Artists. 

-.1.   B Lumber 

—  II Wauou:i  Mid  (.Carriages 

—  ,1 Ciothinj,',  liats  nnd  l^aps. 

—  \V.  (i.  Sr Found rv 

-.1.  S.  i^:  Co • Oi'l 

—  f:  U Coiil  !uid  Lumber. 

—  ,1 (Joui'ii  Iron 

-,l.  W.  .'.  ('.. Coal 

—  .\ Jliifi.  Corru^juted  Iron. 

—  C Pianos 

—  .1 Brnwory. 

-T.  U BiHits  and  Shoes. 

—  W.  \\ .  v':  Co LiirnbtT  :ind 

rianingMill. 

-.1.  I) Coal 


ttsl 
ttsl 


p- 
p- 
p- 
II- 


U- 

li- 

i:- 

K- 
R- 

n- 
II- 
n- 

R- 
R- 

R- 
R- 

I{- 
R- 

R- 

S- 
S- 

s- 

S- 

S- 
S- 
S- 

s- 

S- 
S- 

s- 

S- 

s- 


—  R.  .1 \iialyticul  Chemist. 

__.  ,t  W Coal. 

—  II.  (j Carpi^nter. 

—  L Hotel. 

—  M Hotel. 

—  F WoodcMiwiiro,  etc. 

—  ic  II I'liysicinii:'. 

—  k  II Clothing. 

—  V.  W.  lC  Bro (carriages. 

—  .1.  .1.  i:  Bro Printcr.M,  Books, 

etc. 

—  P .' I'umiture. 

--,1.  A Tailor. 

—  C Tin  and  llousoFurnV. 

—  T Co. 

—  C.  A Tobacca. 

—  L.  B Fancy  (ioods. 

—  T Clothing. 

—  (I.  K Boots  and  Shoes. 

—  N D.  (.). 


270 


TlIK   COMMiaUAI.   AGENCIES. 


f 


H T.  A Kditnr.  i  T O Co. 

S W..I.iV<n Fruit  iiiul  I'rod.  |  I' S I il:  'I' V Co. 

H A l<ir|U(>rH.      W \V.  AV. . .  .Murbli- uiid  Miicliiuo 

^ iSiCn <'oal  uiuK'okf.  I  Workn. 

« itO M Co.  I  \V S.  n lliiildiT,  t!tr. 

>^ •'•  I Icwcllcr.      W Uriir*.  iV  Co Iron. 

•^ C liiiiiiorw.  j  W II Hrrwcr. 

•"j '' •'"•  NV .1.  W.  .  .  ..Mnfr.  iint<iii|io  'I'oii>;h, 

^* ^  H l''iri'l)rickH.  '  i;lc, 

T UroH Oil  nroiitTH.  J  W 1.  \V.  \-  Soils riirnitiirc. 

'•' 1' HootH  uiid  Siioc'H.  I  \N' .1.  T Contractor. 

'1' NV I T .  I  V S  .M Oro. 


ii 


[to    liK    (  ONTIMKU  ; 


i  m\ 


•  ''!; 


^  ^1! 


fki\ 


■  « 


II 

I 


k 


POKTI.AXl).  .All-:. 


A !'.  C Hooks. 

A i{,  &  SoiiH l-'urnitiirc. 

» \  \V .Mioses Imv  <ids. 

]J (i.W.  11 Hiikcr. 

(; W &  Co Uru.shcH. 

C T.  J (Jro,,  ftc. 

C J).  W.  &  (' Ico. 

<; F.  W 15ri.-kn. 

C ]).  W Coiii'ii  Flour. 

C Fi i\;  W LumlH'r. 

I) (3.  R H.  F.  Bkrs,  etc. 

1) J.  &  Co (fro.,  Vic. 

J) A.  L Mow'tx  Much. 

F A Furiiitur(.\ 

F 1.  H.  iV  Co l»aiutcr.s'  Uiln,  etc. 

F C.  11 Tanner. 

F C.  1{.  &  L.  K Builder.s.  etc. 

F A .  P YarniHli. 

(1 M.  S.  &Co Hotel. 

it (}.  U Hoots  and  Slioe.s. 

(J W &  Co.  ..Boots  and  Slioen. 

n S.  ]{ Carriages. 

H &  M Milllnerv,  etc. 

H W.  P Organ'Mnfr. 

11 11.11 Drujrs. 

II .T.  &(•() Gro. 

II \V.  F Hotel. 

1 C.  L.  &  Co Clothing. 

.1 &  W Coal  and  Wood. 

K 0 &  Co Flour. 

1 4 &  Co PI  umbers. 

1, J Apothecary. 


L- 
M- 
ISI- 
.M- 
M- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 

n- 
H- 
U- 
]{- 
H- 
H- 
]{- 
1{- 
S- 
S- 
8- 
S- 
S- 

S- 
S- 
S- 
T- 
T- 


-  \V i^'  Co Ship  Stores. 

-J.  F Stabler. 

-&  VV Flour. 

-T,  &Co Wh(d.  (Jro. 

-P Ltir.s. 

--(I.  II Periodicals. 

-  F l)ruf,'<jifit. 

-  <' &  1' Lumber. 

-iM.  (i. Hoot.x. 

-  N.  U.&  Co irdware. 

-  &  C( Machines. 

_  M w 

-  S Co. 

-  ^y.  A Bookbinder. 

-C.  I) Hotel. 

-A Hooks. 

-  &  iM Wood,  etc. 

-  &  C Lumber. 

-  <i.C.  &  Co Fey  and  1).  G. 

-  i^'  Hro Spruce  tiuni. 

-  .1 Carriajie.s. 

-  Hros Pictures,  etc. 

-OP Hazor-Strap  Mnfr. 

-  <) &  Co Shoes,  etc. 

-  (!.  W.  &  Co Spices. 

-  <i &  Co Flour,  etc. 

-K.  I Drugs. 

-A.  H Chandler. 

-  .1 Iron  Founder. 

-Ii.  D D.  G. 

-  F.  x\ D.  G.,etc. 

-  &  C Findings. 


TlIK   SYSTEM    KXl'OSKD. 


377 


_  p Co. 

und  Muchluc 

VVoik.H. 

.IJiiildiT,  eti'. 

Iron. 

. . .  .Mri'Wt^r. 

t<|ii|io  'I'on;;.'*, 

t;lc. 

.  .I'^iirniturt". 
.  .Colli rartor. 

(Jro. 


\V H Co. 

W T.  11 Gfn'l  Comn. 

"VV \\,  NV.  iiCu Drti«M. 


W- 

\V- 


.M- 


1'.  K. 


[to   UK  I  (l.NTI.M'tUI,] 


W- 


.  liumbor. 
. . .  llotul. 


poirrLvVNj),  on. 


Ship  Stores. 

Stabler. 

Flour. 

.\VLol.  (Jru. 

liCjr.s. 

.Periodicals. 

.  .I)ruf^fri.st. 

. .  .Lumber. 

Uuot.s. 

. .  .H'dwnre. 
.  .Machines. 


Bookbinder. 

Hotel. 

Books, 

.Wood,  etc. 
. .  .Lumber, 
y  and  ]).  O. 
^jiruce  Uum. 
.  .Carria<»'e.i. 
'icture.-i,  etc 
Straj)  Mnfr. 
,  .Shoes,  etc. 

Spices, 

.Flour,  etc. 

Drugs. 

.  .Chandler, 
on  Founder. 

D.  G. 

..T>.  «.,  etc. 
.  .Findings. 


\- 
A- 

A- 
B- 
H- 
»- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
C- 
(;- 
C- 
C- 
C- 


C- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
F- 
F- 
F- 
(}- 
(f- 
(J- 
U- 


II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
11- 


-  G Com'n. 

-  &  H Saw  and  l'lanin>f 

MillH. 

-  Mrs.  L D.  (J.,  etc. 

-I'*' Contractor. 

-  C.  (' Books  and  Stat'y. 

-  \V.  it  Son (Junwiniths,  etc. 

-J n.  &  S.,  Clolhinp,  etc. 

-  M i^  Co 1).  «.,  (iro.,  etc. 

-  F.  .1. . .  .Huililer  and  Contractor. 

-  iV  a Boots  and  Shoes. 

■I  Painter. 

-If.  II Crockery. 

'  ^-^ Saloon. 

-  W.  &  Son .Mcr.  Tailors  and 

Sewinf,'  Machine  .Ayents. 
•&M Whol.Oro. 

-  I{ Money  Broker. 

-  'I" Tobacco  and  Ci<,'ars. 

•  A.  .1 Agent. 

■  &  1) (iro. 

A.  it  Co Boilernikrs. 

M.  it  IJro I).  (i.,etc. 

•  ^V Prod.  Dealer. 

•'•  W Builder. 

•'•  &  Co Drugs. 

it  C Contraetors  and 

Builders. 

•'■  L Contractor. 

H.S Hotel.  . 

S it  L T Co. 

F.  B (Jro.,  etc. 

B. . .  .Steamboats  and  Railroads. 
A' Locksmith,  i 


K- 
K- 
L- 
I^ 
L- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 


X- 

X- 

()- 

S- 
S- 

s- 
s- 

S- 

s- 

S— 
S— 
V- 


-  i^'  !^ Biitchors. 

""•'•••• Clothing. 

-•'•  ^  Co Hoots  und  Shoes. 

-  •'•  <t  C Com'n. 

-  •'•  If Stovos  and  Tinware. 

~  "•  l{ Contractor. 

-  S.  .1 Hooks  and  Stat'y. 

-  -^I Boots  utid  Slioes. 

-J...\Vhol.  1).  (i.,  .Millinery,  etc. 
-it  F I).  (J.,  etc. 

-  A.  L Clothing. 

-  1> 'iliie  and  Curled  Hair. 

-J.  B U.  n.  Contractor. 

- 1'.  II Plumbing  and  Uas- 

fixtures. 

-  '^'  1' Tuilors. 

-  S S and  (• 

-S Co 

■1' Pub'r. 

•^V.  T .Agents.  M. 

S.  F.  .Carriagendvr  and  B'smitli. 

1> '^ Clothing. 

•  ■) .  ..Doors,  Sashc,-,  anil  Window 

(•lass. 

1^  y T.imc  and  Cement. 

Bros,  it  Co Lumber. 

15-  L lewidry,  etc. 

■  C Hooks  and  Stat'v. 

-  it  M Saddlery. 

-  1 AV 

-  R T Co. 

-  <t  M , (iro.,  etc. 

-R 1>.  (}.,  etc. 


[to   be  (.O.NTl.NUED.] 


w 


t.>7S 


TiU;    CUMMEi:CIAI,   AOEN'CIKS. 


THOUGH  KEEPSIE,   N.   Y. 


A- 
A- 
('- 
O- 
(•- 
C- 
D- 
D- 

!•:- 
n- 

II- 


-  S.  Vt.  1*;  Son I'nots,   etc. 

-  it  M Drill's,  etc. 

•' liootH  ami  Shro". 

il 1).  (}. 

\V,  II Tailor. 

■A.  V Hciot.s  iind  Shoes. 

-  ('.  li StoVl'H,  clc. 

-H ...Builder. 

it  ]^— — 'rolnicco,  etc. 

-  F.  &  Soil Slovi'H. 

-  U C'loclu'i'v. 


II h.  y, C'rnr-kerv. 

11 1'.  .M I)ru<iH. 

II 1.  (' 1).  a. 

M W.  i; Ko-(J(ls, 

M V.  .Ir Stoves,  etc. 

M .\  .  .  .    liOMts  iuul  SIioi-.s. 

A I  .Mrs.  ,1 AN'oodenwiirc. 

P .1.  .1 CotlW'S,  etc. 

K A IVsmith. 

S I).  Sons So;\]),  (>tc. 

V M.  i:  Co Browors. 


ITO    111-;   COXTINTKI). 


PROA'IDE^CE,  1\.   1, 


j'Tt 


4i 


A T Totton  Dealer.    '  15 

A E.  «t  Co Carriapri's,  etc.       B 

A S Miifr.  Cotton.       H 

.\ T Hotel.    I  B 

A \V W^ Co.  15 

.\ (;.  ()..  .IVriocru'uls  and  Vcv  Cds.      1? 

A I) Co.  .Miilis  Woolleii  (ids,       1? 

<'tc.      B 

H A.  () Jewel  rv.       B 

n_^  .).  M I'atternnd;V.       B 

i: S.  \V. .  .Mnlr.  Prints  and  Ilorso   ;  M 

l?laid;ets.    |  U 

i! \V.  &  Co. .  .Steam  and  (ias-Pi|)o    i   1} 

Fitters.    '  B 

B r.  11 Pianos,  j 

r. —  w.  11 1),  (i.  I  li — 

I! r.  L Harness,  etc.       C 

B J Boots  and  Shoes,    i  C 

H (i 'r(>a  aniUiro.    i  C 

B E.  \V Fcv  (ids.  Toys.  etc.    j  C 

B C.  E.  &  Co.  .  . .  ."Mnfrs.  Ladd<'i:s.    :  C 

B &I3 MnffT.   Jewellers.    >  C 

B J.  B.  &  Co Mntf,'.  Jewellers.    ;  C 

B II Brass  Fouuder.    '  C 


■  C 11 Co. 

(i.  W.  B (ifo. 

•  Bros.  .  .  .Flonr.  <ir  in.  Hav,  etc. 

J Pil<!  liriver. 

&1I Books. 

v..   S Fey  (ids. 

•  If.  A.  it  Co.  .^Infrs.  Comforters. 

If.  T Jewelry  and  Fey  (ids. 

I'.  Jr Ai>othecarv. 

S.  AV.  it  Co Fruit  and  Proil. 

j\:  (i Lumber  Healeis. 

D.  B.  &  Son Hay,  ( tc. 

('.  B Driiy-s,  etc. 

C.  G.  it  Co Miifrs.  Kaleido 

S('o|)es. 

( ' Piu;  Iron  and  Stoves. 

(J.  M (ins  Pipes, 

B.  B Painter. 

T &C<) Furniture. 

J Paints,  etc. 

S.  B.  it  S«m. .  .Mnfix.  Jcwelltirs. 

E.  P Silk  Bibbons. 

J.  H A])othecary. 

v..  S Mnfr.  Straw  (joo(1h. 


m 


' 


THE   SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


279 


.  .Crockery. 

Driijis. 

I),  a. 

,  ..Fey  (ids. 
Stoves,  etc. 
I  iiiui  Sliocs. 
oodcnwarc. 
(.'otl'ees,  etc. 
. .  .IJ'sinith. 
.  .Soap,  (>tc. 
, .  .lire worn. 


( iro. 

I.  lliiy,  etc. 
'ile  Uriver. 
....Bonks. 
.  .Fey  (ids. 
.'omrorters. 
d  Fey  (ids. 
iliotliecary. 
t  and  Prod, 
er  ]>oa]ei'.s. 
.  .Hay,  ( tc. 
11rn<i-s,  etc, 
s.  Kaleidi) 

SCO]K'S. 

lid  Stoves. 
,(ia.«  Pipes. 
.  .Painter. 
Furniture. 
Paints,  etc. 
Jewellers. 
k  Kibbons. 
jiotliecary. 
■u\v  (iooils. 


-  W Co. 

-  .1.  M.  tt  Son ]"),  (i. 

-  &  W Carriatjc!  H'dware. 

-  -A. Fancy  (iwxIh  and  Periodicals. 
■•T.  n.,.Jr 1).  (J.  and  (iro. 

■  fi.  &  Co Booty  and  SIkjcs 

J.  >l (iro. 

■  C-  H Tean,  etc. 

<!^  S (iro.  and  1,1(1. 

I'.   <; Lrirs. 

.1.  V,.  iV  Co.  . .  ..Miilrs.  Carriii<,''(s. 

■I.  il Pickles,  Fruit,  etc. 

<fc  H .  ..Mnlrs.  Spiral  Sprinprs. 

•  W-— -  iV  Co Wiiol.  I)rii7rs. 

■  ^  ^I (.iaslixtures. 

•  S .M Co. 

I' D.  (}. 

M ('o.-Mnlrs.  NVrin^'ers  and 

Tools. 

C.  T Com'n. 

('•  iV  Co Mnf!,^  Je\veller!3. 

■^I (iro.  and  Ijiq. 

•I.  F Broker. 

W.  II Xur.-^ery. 

it  P Ex])resH. 

('.  I',  it  Co Coiton  (iood.s. 

II.  W Miifr.  Carriages. 

.1 \:  E Co. 

<i.  F.  15 Druirs. 

.1 .  ..Eace  (ioods  and  liiderwear. 
F .\'.  H Coniposltioii  Ifoolin<,'. 


(%■ 
C- 

c- 

C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 

('- 

C- 

(;- 

(!- 

<;- 

D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 
D- 


I). 
D- 
J)- 
D- 
D- 
K- 
F- 
F- 

!■:- 

F- 


1'^ 
F- 
F- 
F- 

F- 
F- 
ii- 
(J- 

fi- 

(r- 
(i- 
II- 
II- 
11- 
II- 


D- 


C 


II- 
II- 
JI- 
II- 
II- 
J- 
J- 

K- 
K- 
K- 

Iv- 


-  M.  F.  k  i'o Apothecaries. 

-  •• (Iro.,  etc. 

.  !• {) 

■  A Mnfr.  Shirts. 

-  -N.  L.  iV  (_'o Cotton. 

■  'I' L(irs. 

-  •'.  iN:  Co Brokers  Druids,  etc. 

-  S.  C.  iV  Co Fancy  (ioods  and 

Periodicals. 

■  II.  iV  Co.  .  .(iro.,  \.U[.,  and  Prov. 

■  Hros Eqrs. 

■  N.  (■ Cotton  Broker. 

■  l>.  ( i (iro.  and  Li(]. 

•  C.  ^\ Sewint!:  Machines. 

W.  .V Steam  I'liij^ines,  etc. 

a.  i'-; 


t'OllS. 


.  . .  .Wliol.  Prod,  and 

Fruit. 

.Laces  and  Fey  (ids. 

-  >^'  Co Macliinists. 

-  F.  A Coal  and  (irain. 

-  I;  M Mnfii;.  Jeweller. 

-  ('.  1j Flour  and  (irain. 

&  C ...  Agen  ts. 

C.  \V.  &  Bro Mnfrs.  Paper 

Boxes. 
-J I/i(|uor.s. 

-  1).  II Who!.  (Jro.  and  Fruit. 

-  P Wool  Waste. 

-  iJ^.'  Co House  Furn'ir. 


K- 

E 

L- 

L- 

L- 

E- 

L- 

E- 

E- 

M- 

M- 

U- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

-M- 

M- 

M- 

N- 

N- 

X- 

N- 

()— 

()— 

()— 

P— 

P— 

P— 

P— 

P— 

P— 

P— 

P— 

P— 

P— 

P— 

P — 

P — 

Q— 
U— 
K— 
If— 


-  &  P Boots  and  SIioor. 

-  11;^ &  Co (jro. 

-  W.  II.  .  .  .(iro.,  Flouraiid  (irain. 

-  ^V Tob.,   Periodicals,  etc. 

-  O.  F.  &;  Co House  l'"urn'fr. 

-  1) Whol.  Teas  and  Sj)iceti. 

■M Co Soap. 

■C.  1? Jeweller. 

■T.  J .Mnfjr.  Jeweller. 

-  ^^ (iro.,  etc. 

-  -^I Saloon. 

"  •' Ei(|iiors. 

-.' I).  <i. 

-•'.11 D.U. 

-  '" I),  (i. 

-  \\    S Wool. 

-S.  M Printer. 

-A .Aliifr.  lloopskirts,  et<-. 

-  '1'.  1 Cotton  Dealer. 

•  J.  A.  .  ..MnCr.  Fouudrv  Facin"-.s. 
.  B Co. 

(' Co. 

]{ (',,. 

(i.  II 


A.  (i 
('.  J, 
M— 


Coal. 

Su])j)]ies. 


J. 


iVCo ]\liifrs.   Wire. 

A Wool. 

B.  i^:  .M H'dware. 


-  A.  &  Co.  \\  o;)l  and  Wool  Waste. 

■  11.  C Hotel. 

.  &  H (iro. 

•M-  y Hotel. 

•  C.  ]•' .Mnfr.   Woollen  \'anis. 

■  I'.  B Boots  and  Shoes, 

J.  E.  &  Co Starch  and  Oil. 

I'^  C Advix.  .Xiront. 

•'■  C .Jeweller. 

J C) 

.M (i &  p 


.fapaniiers. 

iM (.'o. 

Co Pjint  Cloths. 

T.  A.  \-  Co Cotton. 

y Miit'r.  Ciuria<re.s. 

I'.  C Hats,   Caps.  etc. 

If <■' .Mnrr.  Woollen  (iouds. 

S-  !■' Stationer. 

1 1! K M 

I |) Cn. 

I F S Co. 

I N Co. 


Bros .-.Cotton  Brokers. 

J l'"ancy  (ioods. 

M V P Co. 

K AA' I Co. 

H Bros D.   (i. 

li C Boots  and  Shoes. 

S J.  A.  iV  I).  S Woollens. 

Fiirn'y  and  ]i.  (i. 

^ K.  A ...H'dware. 

S *  ;■  "^'^ Auction  and  ( 'om'ii. 

►^ ''•  ^\ Li(iuors. 


280 


THE  COMMERCIAL  AGKN'CIES. 


'•h 


S J.  R Mnfr.  Cliandcliors,  ;  T- 

S S.  W.Cotton  umlCottou  Wiistu.  !  T— 

K W.  S (.'oiton.  !  T- 

S Bros Men's  Fiirn';,'.  i  1  — 

S A.  J A[)othccaiv.  V— 

S H.  S Hail-  (iu()(l.<,  etc.  W- 

S (i.  J Miil'r.  Ciip.s  anil  Clo. 

S A.  ic  ^V.  M Co.  W- 

S J.  ]j CarpiMittT.  W- 

K &  M M Co.  W- 

S H.  F Woodcnware.  i  W- 

S 1$ 1) &  c' Co.  W- 

T O.  A.,.Ir.,&Co....Miifrs.  Starch  '  W- 

and  (luins,  I  W- 

T C.  F.  ..Mnfr.  Patent  Coi).  Tubes.  !  W- 

T J.  F Motel.  W- 

T L Mnfr.  Horn  Jewelry.  W- 

T L.  II.  i:  Co. . .  .I'lunibers'  Mate-  j  W- 

riuls.  ' 


&  M X Co. 

(J.&co D.  a. 

II.  W.  &Co D.Q. 

■  A L Co. 

•  A &  t'o Books,  etc. 

-  S &  Co. .  .Oeiil.  Coni'n  and 

Oil  Mers. 

-  N Boots  and  Slioes. 

-  U.  M.  &  Co. .  .Boots  and  Shoes. 
-().  B Coal. 

-  .1.  II Steam  Heaters. 

-  \^'.  II Stoves,  etc. 

-  S.  B Fruit  and  I'rod. 

-  B.  \V Sloclv  Broker. 

-  <>.  II Hats  and  Caps. 

-  .1   Mnfr.   Woollens. 

-  A.  &  Ct) I'^ruit  and  Coni'n. 

-J.   S lluruu.-^s  Weaver. 


r 


! 


[to  1;E  I.D.MINLEI).  I 


SI 

fit 


RALEIGn, 


i.\ 


c. 


1 1 


i  '1'  I 

m 


■■vN 

i 


A P.  &  W firo. 

A Mrs Milliner. 

B J.C (!.  S. 

B S (Jro.  and  Liij. 

1? |{.  W tiro. 

B 1)1-.  (i.  \V Hotel. 

H I.M Hotel. 

B L Books,  etc. 

B T.  B Speculator. 

B C.  S Hotel. 

B N.  L Confec. 

C 1.  li.H Druys. 

E MI Books. 

H J Editor. 

II S.  1) <;io. 

II J tJro. 


K J.  I, Patent  Pumps. 

K Mrs.  A:  Son (lunsmiths,  etc. 

L J.  S Whol.  lii(|Uors. 

L A.  (}.  &  Sons Coni'n,  etc. 

L J.  C.  S Tinner. 

N P Co. 

X C 1 Co. 

"11 S ." 

B i\;  H Iii(iuors. 

S W Dnijrs,  i^tc. 

T J.  :M Auction  and  Coni'n. 

l'— — •  \.  X (iro.  and  Li(]. 

W ,1.  V.' Photr)f,'rapher. 

W B &  Co Coin'n  and 

Cotton  Factors. 


[to  liE  tONTlNl-EU.J 


' 


..D.  (J. 
.  ..D.  U. 


THE   SYSTEM   EXPOSED. 


rjciiMo:Ni),  XA. 


2SI 


^ ^ Baker. 

„ }[  1 Imp.  Tobacco. 

Ti I'     '■ Tobacco. 

, '  ^^/, Books. 

M u      ' ^^'''^'-  I^''!""!-"- 

\l         i; ClothinL'. 

"— -M...... Clothing. 

)V.  W.&Co Editorl 

1.  ]'■■■ Clothing,  etc. 

H r  *^ *^'«- 

" {'-J Kopenikr. 

] -Mrs.  K.  V Millinerv. 

|, —  '\-  •'••-, lIot;.l 

,,         ^ "^  *'" Com"ii. 

<^ i*c  U U Co. 

S •^'  •••  ^^'  Co Coma  Tob. 

;, '^  ■  ^^  ^'" I-aiicy  Uooils. 

c i  ^ ,; <^'«'il- 

i^ Y lious(!  Fiirn'g. 

n        '  iV  Vr Bicwciy.  etc. 

(^ f-l- Drugs. 

fj  J;-  >^  •.  '■'^'  ^'" Curpciiter.M,  etc. 

£, (*•  •'■  "-^  ^'<> Fertilizers. 

t\ J  •  •  • D.  ( i.  unci  Clotiung. 

t, l^-}' Confer.    I 

r .,",•• I'laning  Mill.    | 

^ y-  ^^-  "-^  <  '> Tobiicco,  etc.    ; 

JT I , I.iiiuor.s.    ! 

(I  \-- Tobacco,  etc.    ; 

G KB Printer.,    i 

« J.  I[ 'J'ohacco. 

U O.P.&Cn Tobacco. 

", '^ Tob.  Boxes,  etc 

TT \l-^''^  *'" '^1'"^- 

U  r- ■  ;; Contractor. 

I! v'." Pap'r  Boxes. 

}} i^  ^] Publishers. 

ir Ar^ ^^'''o>-  <''•"• 

II :,  •. Com'n  D.  (f. 

f-^' Com'n.    : 

V         ,  •  • Xotion.s. 

•J •':•'•; ■'^'^'«''-  Broker. 

• ^ll\}'-  i' Milliner. 

f. \\-  ^'^ Speculator. 

i^^:^::::::::::::::::::^;Si, 


K 

E- 

E 

L 

E 

E 

JM 

M 

M 

M- 

M 

M- 

M- 

M 

M- 

AI- 

M- 
M- 
JI- 
N- 

N- 
o- 

lie 

i  P- 

i  1'- 

II- 

Pc- 

]{— 
]{— 

S— 
S— 
S — 

s — 

K — 
S — 
S — 
S — 
S — 
S — 

S 

T — 


Trunkn. 

(iro. 

liulertaker. 

t'lotliing. 

.......  .i>.  (i.  Ck.  Shoes. 

'^-   '■'•  and   Aiictioneer.s. 

; Y"-  -^' Comu  Ei,j. 

":••;•• Auctioneer. 

■*,-  ^  •  J Hardware. 

,•;, Fertilizers. 

~f,'^ Coal  Oil,  etc. 

Vt'  ■ "  M' lii'.stuurant. 

Vj  fv    Fancy  (ioods,  etc. 

?J-"^^'" Com'n. 

^*-  <^-'!^Co Tobacco. 

1).  0. 

.Baker,  etc. 
^Vhol.  (iro. 

.  .<'i')tliin(r. 


A.  M. 
W.JI. 

.1 

M.... 


ICCO. 

(i  ro. 


,...T- 


-  M.;&  Bro Clotiiinir,  etc 

~  ?\: ..tiro. 

-^i^ll? Hardware. 

-  {'•  }■; -Mnfr.  Tobi; 

-  Jlrs.  V\'."'i' 

-P Co. 

-\i-  ^ Tolwcco 

~  IV  ''■•■, UinesiindEi(|, 

-  J  >-— ;-  1' \  ( ■ M 

- '[•  I*'-<tCo Coal, 

•  f     J      1'.  (i. 

~  j-'l -^Iiifi--  Cigars. 

■•'•   ;* Cabinetnikr. 

■/•   '^ Cabiiietndir. 

■  •  • I'-  <i.,  etc. 

!:V," Miioki„g'r,,l,acc,,. 

'/■  Y '■!'".  and  1 

iV  Co *^ 

J <>'ro.  and  'J'ol 

^,V•  •,; • <Mins,  etc. 

:^-  '1 livery  Stabl... 

''•  '' I>.  <i.  and  Notion?. 

■, I),  (i.  and  Clothiuir. 

<'•  '-^'  <'" Whol.  (,'ro.  and 

J.    f  .,  (Join'n. 

'  •  '^<" Whol.  (iro. 

• D.G. 

Eeather  and  Findings. 


Iioes. 
oacco. 


H. 

S. 


■  w. . . 
p 

'5''  ^^''" Tobacc( 

■^^ t''J Tobacec 


II 


' 


Till-;  L'OMMEiiciAi.  a(;kncij:,~!. 


\V i<;:  Co Piiblisli<M-.«.  I    \V- 

W A Hcstuiinuit.   I   \V- 

\V iV  J. .Mnlrd.  'lobacco  Hmxcs:.  i   W- 


Miv.  v..  E Oro.,  etc. 

<■*>:  W Clothing. 

'I.   F Li(]Uois. 


lr>)    I."    CONTI.NLTli.] 


k()oiiesi;ee,  :^.  y. 


A- 
A- 
A- 
IJ- 
J5- 
J}- 

:n- 
n- 
ij- 

J!- 

<  '- 
( '_ 
( '- 
('_ 

('- 


!■'- 
!••- 


(i- 
•  i- 
(i- 
<J- 
<i- 
tJ- 
li- 
(i- 

H- 
II- 
II- 

II- 
H- 

ri- 

K- 


■Vi (Jro. 

-().  ]■; Hotel. 

-  K.  R Printt'i-. 

■J Ciu'ijcnter. 

■V 1!^  S Liiinbrr. 

•  Br(>H Tiulor,s. 

A IMi-iit. 

T I'ictuivs. 

■  J.  Jl Ciro. 

I Cii])italist 

W.  .V  Sdii Leallior. 

W IMusoii,  etc. 

li iV  Co..(,\)V('riiiii'  Mucliiii'N. 

H.  II '.Stavcr^,  I  ... 

II ('(iO])cr,    I'tr. 

M H(M)k>clIfr,  etc. 

•  iV  J. .MilliiuTv  (idcdfj. 

■  1).  M Hooks,  etc. 

■  ^^'.  I*:  Co C(.tiou  rjiitriiin-. 

.1 .':.M Hiiiiker.s. 

^V.  S I'rliiter. 

.1 (iro. 

'i' 'raimer,  etc. 

.1 IhUter. 

»v  (  (1 Niirnerv. 

•<i.    \V Tmii("r. 

&  i^on Soaj). 

A iJ;  Co I'liniace,-!,  etc. 

&  h-'on Slioey. 

l?r<is.  \  Co 1-.     kers. 

M Kili^e  TooIh. 

.1 ,.  .Shoes. 

S Ilat.<. 

.virs.  .1 Ladies'  I'mlerwear. 

V Tailor. 

15 M Co. 

II.  J.&Co Scales,  etc. 

BroH Stairhiiilders. 

C liootH  and  iSlioes. 

■  &  C Bankers. 


K- 

M- 
M- 
-M- 
M- 
.M- 
M- 
.M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
?d- 
M- 
.M- 
]M- 
O- 
P- 
P- 
1'- 
11- 

i;- 
11- 
p- 

8— 
S— 
S— 

S— 

S— 


T- 

\\' 
Z- 


-  .M Con  fee. 

-  C (iro. 

-  .1 (Jro. 

-  .1 (.1  ro. 

-  iV  Co l^uniber. 

-  .1 Cooper. 

-  J.  ^^^  iV  Pm pianos. 

-  S.  (i l'"urnituro. 

-  S (.'lothing'. 

-  l],  I' Machinist. 

-  L.  \N' Flour,  etc. 

-C.  ^'t  Co (Jro. 

-  k.  11 Vinegar. 

-  P blackpniitli. 

-  S Chandler,  etc. 

-  AI Jeweller. 

-  1) Clothing. 

-i^-  1) Hay,  etc. 

- 1*':  C Stoves,  etc. 

-  H.  S Capitalist. 

-.( Ag'l  Implts. 

l-' S Co. 

-  1' \-  C Co. 

.  1 ,M Co. 

•P Tiro. 

]'".  ic  Co. Hardware. 

i! (Jro. 

\-  M Stoves. 

■  S Showcases,  etc. 

y. Clothing. 

V (iro. 

S (iiro. 

•  Pros Filccutters. 

■  (i.  1,.   iV  Cii Stationery. 

J.  H D.  (i. 

Mrs.  F.  y\ Gro. 

■  iV'  C Machinists. 

-  k  S Lumber. 

-  P.  &  T 'J'oliacco 

M Blacksmith. 


|_rO   Bi;  CO.NTINLEl).] 


■i.,t 


' 


.firo.,  etc. 
.Clothing. 
..Licjuors. 


THE  SYSTE.M   KXPO.SED. 


ii«3 


SACK  AMEN  ^I\J,  CAL. 


, . .  .Coil foe. 

(i  ro. 

(Jro. 

Gro. 

.  .IjUIuIkt. 
. . .  .('dopcr. 
. .  ..Pianos. 
.  l''iiriiiturp. 
.  .Clothing. 
.  .Miichiniat. 
.Flour,  etc. 

Uro. 

.  .Vinegar. 
■  lai'kpmitli. 
miller,  etc. 
.  .Jeweller. 
.  .Clothing. 
.  .Hay,  etc. 
SioveH,  vie. 
.Capitalist, 
ig'l  Iniplts. 


Ti  ro. 

ilhuilware. 

<iro. 

.  .  .  .Stoves. 
,v^a^^es,  etc. 
.  .Clothing. 

(Jro. 

(iro. 

/"ilecutters. 
Stationery. 

D.  O. 

(Jro. 

MacliiniptH. 

.  .Lumber. 

.  .'I'oliarco 

ihicksmith. 


A- 

M- 

J5- 

li- 

15- 

li- 

C— 

C— 

C— 

C— 

C — 

C — 

C — 

<  ■ — 

« ' — 

D— 

I) — 

f) — 

j:— 


1'- 

(J- 
(i- 

(i- 

U- 

1 1- 

ir- 

if- 
ir- 


';  ^^        ' 15rnwor.i. 

-    •;; Wool. 

""•-'' Carriage's. 

-J He.siaurant. 

~  ■;•  •„•,•;, Furiiitiiro. 

-}^-  ^•'■^<^" Clothing. 

";V  ['■•■, I'aintB,  Oils,  etc. 

■(r.  U  .  i\:  Co.\Vliol.  (,ro.,  Liq.,  ,.fc, 

■  Y':^^  '" SuHhe.s  uiid  Bli'nd'^ 

■"•'■' Saloon. 

,,•  '^ Ins.  Ai'-ent. 

liotel. 

lliirne.s.s. 

Music. 

.  ..Fruit  find  J'rod. 

Furniture. 

Croekery. 

. .    .  .I?ootn  and  Sliou.?.    '• 
.  .NVhol.  Clothing  and    | 
Boots  and  Shoes 

V- JIoteL 

,    ,.     "^  ^" ]).  (i. 

f,  *" Hookhindens. 

.V  \'  ■;,■•  •; l''iiiii'g  (loods. 

■M.  iV  (  o..;Move.s,  Hardware,  ete 

?'•"» !).().■ 

v" Colleu  and  .Spii;e.s 

•,'•••;•■. Riil<>"n. 

"•  '^'  '  " Foinulrv. 

,V  '■^'  ^" 1).  (i. 

'  ■  ■■••.•••, '^"*''*^  "'"1  Shoes. 

\\ .  A.  k  Co Carringo  and 

r                         Wagon  Material.s. 
'^•■'  -^ Boots  and  Shoes. 


-A.,   Sr... 
-.1.  F.  ... 
■A.  n.tiV 

I?.  .V  Co, . 

■  S.  C 

L.  A:  ('.). , 

W.  P.  .  . 
X.  (i 


, ,  'J,-, f'arriageinkr. 

u-  u .;.•• "''"'I- 

1  V    \     '""''■'  '""^  I'lu'iil'fr. 

'-  '^         Steam  Saw  and 

K'  T        ..  Planing  Mill.s, 

> ''•  •  -Stovi^s,  'i'in  and  Ihmiwar.' 

,. ;\' '^^'«S<>ii^  and  Blaek.'^mith 

f ^} FevtuK 

5i:=:j::::: ^^"ji- 

I  Jtl  ""^ ''•"•'■"■  •••••■•••^ '-'''!'- 

^  )^ Wagons. 

I  V f, Toys,  etc. 

^i ^ l>ryand  Fev  (id.s. 

Vl -V- Cigan,  et.-. 

iN >..\ Clothing  and  B.  and  S 

;, ,V  ''••■^  ^'" Cloihing. 

I. W'r'V, ^""'«  »'"'•  ^l""-'^. 

I ;^''-:-''-' Drug;. 

y. l;/^*" Whol.  Liquors. 

K n.  ]5     Blacksmith. 

tS h W  

« ^'j^^"-^f Milliner. 

S \^  A Pnuiuee. 

r,,  Vi  - ^  ohiieeo. 

tZ~  r SaUK)n. 

,,.  v. Boot.s  and  Shoes. 

^V ^«^veller. 

W  \n Stove,s,ete. 

^^ •'•  '5 Tinware. 


[10  EC   CO.Sri.VUEI). 


it'- 


284 


THE   COMMEUCIAL  AGENCIES. 


I!!- 

!.  I  ■ 
4' 


SAX  FRANCISCO,  CAL. 


mi  M 


("lotliiiif^. 

Hro \'iiriety  Storo, 

••  &  Co liUiiiber. 

C'lotliiiig. 

.  iV'  ('< IiiijiH.  Clotliiiifj. 

lliit.s  and  Caps. 

.  O.  &  Co luipH.  Clothiiiijf. 

Hard  war*!. 

H Whol.  Jjiijuors. 


Co. 


.Coal. 


J)- 


.(JoutH'  Fiirn'jr. 

lewrdlt-r. 

.  Woodwarc,  «'tc. 


]?- 
B- 

n- 

n- 
li- 
u- 

15- 

15- 

15- 

15 

15- 

15- 

15- 

15- 

15- 

15- 

15- 

15- 

15- 

15- 

15- 

15- 

15- 


15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
li- 


isr, 

A. 

15r 

I. 

K 
C 

S. 

II. 

J. 

J. 

& 

1'. 
M 

N 
■S. 

it 

1{. 

L. 

M 

& 

& 

T. 

({. 

& 

M 
•  C. 
G 
A 
J. 
M 


.  S VarifticH. 

II Ai^'l    IlllJlltH,  t'{c. 

,  M.  &  Co Coiii'n  and  Whol. 

I'rov. 

M.  &  Co Jtfwelry. 

J,.  Si  Co Stationers. 

us Clothina:. 

]) Real  Kstate  Aireiit. 

1 Cigars  and  Lici. 

P.  &  Co Produce. 

iV  Co Whol.  Fiirn'nr. 

1) liaiikor. 

Tanner. 

C Carpi'tH. 

P Coiii'n. 

&  15ro Hals  and  Caps, 

Mnfr.  Soaj). 

Coal. 

Fancy  CJoodH. 

Co (Jro. 


M (icnts'  Fiirn'g. 

HoolH  and  Khoey. 

rs.  N Millinery. 

T lloni.  ]M<'dicin('H. 

15 Livery,  etc. 

Advg  Afifcnt. 

,  F.  &  Co Com'n. 

15ro Imps.  Leaf  Tobacco 

and  Mnfrs.  Cifrars. 

Contractor. 

().  it  Co Com'n  Prod. 

Marble. 

Hay  and  Grain. 

L Tailor. 

Com'n. 

Co Drugs. 


15 A.  .1.  &  Co Ins. 

15 M.  C Stoves  and  Tin. 

15 J.  W.  iS:  Co Carpets. 

15 A Drugs. 

15 1 Warehouse. 

C C.  A Printer. 

C F M Co. 

(' 15 M (V,. 

C F.  &  P.  J Whol.  LiquorB. 

C P Co. 

(' J.  &  Co Inijis.  Crockery. 

C T \V . 

i' W'.  S S]U'cnlator. 

C II.  A Mntg.  Jeweller. 

(; T.  1{ Clothing. 

C &  15 Newspajjer. 

C 1.  P Brickmkr. 

C C.  \'  Co Com'n  Prod.,  etc. 

C &  M Cigars. 

C it  H Ship  Chandlers. 

C (!.  it  Co Whol.  Cigars. 

C C.  J Hatter. 

C D Fruit. 

(; F.  I),  it  Son Flour  Mills. 

C M.  (i Saddlerv  and  Harness. 

C I.  &  15ro Wiiol.  Dry  Goods. 

C A.O Coal. 

C W.  15.  it  C( Blankbooks. 

C V A . 

1) it  W Whol.  Liquors. 

1) Hros Fancy  (ioods. 

]) V.  M.  it  Co Whol".  Wines. 

1) 15 it  Co Boys'  Clothing. 

1) A.  C.  it  Co Oils.  Lamps,  etc. 

1) H it  Co.. Leaf  Tobacco,  etc. 

1) l'" (ients'  Furn'g. 

1) A Jewelr}'. 

D T Mnfr.  Soap. 

D J.  it  Co Distillers  and  Rec- 
tifiers. 

D M l,amps  and  Oils. 

1) 15.  &  Co California  Wines. 

E J.  U.  it  Co Wire  Works. 

K Bros,  it  Co Boots  and  Shoes. 

E II.  it  Co Bitters. 

E &  B Tobacco,  et<'. 

F it  Co Shiji  Chandlers. 

F II.,  Sr Com'n  Prod. 

F B.  P.  it  Co Packers,  Wool 

Dealers,  etc. 


W 


i  •» 


^ 


THK   SVSTKM    KXl'OSKJ). 


2So 


V- 
V- 
F- 
F- 


iSp  Co. 

I 

<fc  Co. 
il.... 


nooksf^llcr. 

Iiiil's.  and  Coiii'ii. 

Stiuioncry. 

■  ■i>]>vvM\ati>r,  cti.'. 

'raiincrs. 

\\'in(!H. 

..Hi 


I'r-H.iU'o.In.p.s.  Kai,cv(J'.i.s,.tc 

'^' A i„.i,....  .1.  • 


a- 
u- 
II- 
II- 

H- 
H- 

II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 

H- 


riidcrtiikiT. 
Hiiot.s  iuid  SIhx  H. 
Foil  11(1  rv. 


iAI 

i*i:  <'<)..  .  . 

(i.  S 

('.('.  iV- (•,)'." 
T.  II.  .VC„. 

:^i.  c.  k  Co.. 

Hi'os.  \-  Co.. 

^vt'S- ^'"T'r 

.        <  orks. 

j, ;••.•■••''■■  J"-  mid  l5n.k(M-. 

1 .V  (o Saw  luul 

I'laiiiiiM;  .Mi U.S. 

'i'liinspoi-tatioii. 

••  •  .  -CDiitractorH. 

•  ■  .  .l-iiiKj  and  Coiuout. 


'no. 

Clothin;;-. 

.  •  .Hiiltcr,  etc. 
Hardware,  etc. 
• . .  ..Millinery. 
■  .  .  I'iaiio.s,  ele. 


L 
L 
L 
L 

I; 
L 

I- 

L- 
U 
M 
.M 
-M- 
M. 
M- 


Hardware. 

<  'lotliiii^''. 

Clotllill^r. 

•  ■  .l'"riiits  ami  Nuts. 
Hoiid.s,  et('. 


(J.  O.  &Co.. 
•  a.  A.  &  Co.  , 
&  W 

I —  &  ii_ 


■■■_ .Matelies. 

•  •'■ro.  and  Coin'n. 
.  .  .  .Imps.  CarpeLs. 

I/iiiiiher. 

I),  (i'ds. 

Sealed  (ioods. 

Leather. 

'I'o.Vf*.  <;lc. 

ihy  (ioods. 

I'"iiriiitun!. 

Slieej),  etr. 

.Crockeiv. 
..I>.  (Jdk 
..I),  (i'd.s. 
Hides,  cie. 
iards,  efi'. 

•  ■  ^ I'^iirs. 

.  .'I'oliacco.  etc. 

Hardware.  | 

Coiu'ii. 

I).  (1. 

. .  .llwilE.stato. 

<.'ro. 

Saw  MilLs,  ete. 

liiiinlx-r. 

Coiii'ii. 


M- 

AF 

M- 

M- 

iM- 

M- 

M- 

.M- 

M- 

M- 

M- 

]\I- 

X- 

N- 

N- 

O— 

P— 
P— 
P— 
P— 
V — 
1' — 
P — 
H  — 

a — 
n — 
u — 
u — 

R — 

S 


S— 
S— 
S— 
S— 
S — 
S— 
S— 
S— 
T— 


T— 


.  .15111 


V-— - 

\V 

AV 

W 

\V 

A\- 

A\' 

AV 

A\' 

A\' 

AV 

A\' 

W 

'/' ./. 


—  i; Halt 

^;  ^'-ffW' l-iiiiiber,  ..(,•. 

— -X''-^-^'    " Candy. 

•.•,: Money  Lender. 

l[  ..HaMs. 

••••, Clothinur. 

~     •'^'  '^"1' .Mill rv  (i'ds 

~  "■  '  •  -^  *■'> SliipClia'ndlers. 

'J''  ^'         Coni'ii  Hiiles,  etc 

~t  *,'■'■■. "^■^'"■■^• 

3|-  ; -'^  '" Fiir.H. 

'..' Coin'n. 

~'>^    ^- •■•.l.iiniher,  Tools,  etc. 

•'•  ' I kinjf  (ila.sse.s 

mid  Picture  iM'aines. 

-  !■..  l'....Iewel]e!-,  Ship  Chandler, 

-<•— .VI W— 

-K .M ,■„. 

~l-f:^-\; Ch.thin-. 

I  p    , ■^' '  '"• ' '"'ria-es.etc. 

'''■  '^ 'iiip-  <i:is  I'ixtiires,  etc. 

"  •  • i^'i^v  and  Planin.r  Mills 

"  (•___■  \" ; '  "^'"I'l""-  i^'i'i  J'.  F. 

,'-^'  *'" Shipjiinir,  ote. 

■;V'^'  ^V Jiooks,  etc. 

',  '-  <  " I'l'i'ts  and  Shoes. 

'v. Dry  (iood.s. 

f  *'" Ch-lhiii"-. 

;V ^^''"''-   I'i'jiior.s. 

I  :•;•/. ^'iifars,  etc. 

"•  '^  <  " Clothin-   etc. 

'.'••• Hides  aiKl'W'ool. 

f,^-  ■;'•  --V  ''■•'> Luiiiher 

7  i! Foundrv. 

'■^,  '\ — —•, Carriai.(!  .MaKM-ials. 

,•  ''•  '1^'  '" Coni'n  Shippin-r. 

1'.  ]..  iV  Co..  .Oil  ;uid  Lamp  Sfk 

^^  *,'"••;•■; ^'""i'". 

iV  »'>.. Hardware,  .Machinerv,  etc 

,r~~- '''"l".    Steel,  etc. 

i  •  ', Drui^^s. 

'V-  '^ NVinesand  Li.|. 

■•■>■  ••, Stones. 

•;'■   <  " Wines. 

|, -l^'*  " • Merchant.s. 

V'rr- Wines,  etc. 

,\\-    ' Drnjrs. 

V  •'^'  *  " Li(|iiors. 

I',"— .'"^^  *'" Piano.s. 

''■  k  '^  <> ioj>liers  K'cv  (ioods 

'■■"■■^ Cl.kks.etc. 

';: '*-■  *'" I),  (i. 

•V  ^  " ComuProd. 


[to   he  CO.STi.NirEI).] 


2S() 


TJIK   COMMEUCIAL   AOENC'lEb. 


'mi. 


a 


SAVANKAII,  GA,. 


i 


A- 
A- 
B~ 
B~ 
D- 
«- 
H- 
IJ- 
B- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
C- 
D- 
D- 

Vr- 

V- 

1'- 

F- 
F- 

.1'"- 

(i- 
<i- 
({- 
(i- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
1- 
K- 
L- 


-.T.  i: (Jro. 

-  M Co Cotton,  f'tc. 

-  .1.  II Li(iiior.s. 

-  &  K (iro,,  etc. 

-  &  J) .  .Urokcrs  1111(1  Auction. 

-  P.  -M l'"iiii('y  Store.'. 

■  I{.  &  Son Liiiiilior,  I'tf. 

-  I). ...    Clothing. 

-  1j.  K Furniture. 

■  1» (iro. 

J.  I) Hcor  AInfr. 

■  F.  ^\' I'ifturt'H  iuid  Fraines. 

J I).  (J. 

-J.  y.k  Co I).  (J. 

-  A.  iV  Co Ijunibcr. 

-J.  &  Hro 1).  (i.  oic. 

-  M.  iV  Co L(ir.s,,  etc. 

-  C.  F Stcncil.H. 

-  («.  J Printer. 

-  (i Furnifurn. 

-&F 1).  (J. 

-L I)  U. 

-  A.  S.  i"c  C') Coni'n. 

-  S Flour  1111(1  (Jrain. 

-  A.,  Jr Clotliing. 

-C Tiiihir. 

-A.  F (Jro. 

-  a.   W Ijumbcr. 

-  W liiejuors. 

y I'L'  C( (.,'oni'n. 

-  S.  L Tjumb(.'r. 

-J (iro.,  Li(].,  etc. 


1^ — J.  &  Co n.  (i. 

L M (iio. 

li II &  Co Cotton,  etc. 

!. J Clothing'. 

L J.  &  Uro Drufjj.s,  etc. 

M A Marble. 

M ,1,  ,1 Lumber. 

M J.  W.  iV  C.  A (Jen.  Store, 

M &  15 Carriajjey 

M J.  &  Son Auctioneer.-'. 

Al AlrH.  E Toys,  etc 

M C &  Co.  . .  .Boots and  Shoes, 

iM A.  J.  &  Co Furniture, 

M —     II.T.,  Jr Coin'n,  etc. 

M P — -  &  Co Foundrv. 

M (J.  II Diui^s. 

M K.  \V Drujis. 

P 1).  (} Printer, 

P S.   N.   &  Co Hotel. 

P ,1 1).  ().,  etc. 

P K Fey  (idf^. 

]{ I).  J Photo,  (idn, 

S J.  W Jeweller. 

S E.  ]) Crockery,  etc. 

S J.  A li(Jot's,  etc. 

T G.  T   Coal. 

T F.  E Founder. 

W 1) Clothing. 

W J.  M Contractor. 

W 11.  M Com'n,  etc. 

\V A.N Coiu'n. 


mm 


[to  be  eoNTi.sci;!).] 


^ 


Tin:   SVriTKM    EXPOSED. 


Os- 


SOK ALSTON",   PA. 


D.  G. 

«io. 

.Cotton,  otc. 
.  .  .Clotliin;;. 
.Driif;:.s,  etc. 
....Muibli-. 
. . .  Lumber, 
.(jfcn,  ytorc. 
.  .('iii'i'iii^'i.'- 
i\ii(;tioiu('r.-'. 
.  .TovH,  itc 
sniul  Shoes. 
.  .Fiirnitiirr. 
. Coni'ii,  cic. 
.  .Fotiiulrv. 

l)j  liyri. 

Dnijis. 

Priiitor. 

Hotel. 

.D.  (J.,  otr 
.  .  .Fey  (ids. 
Photo,  (ids. 
.  .Jeweller, 
'oekery,  etc. 
.Boot.s,  etc. 

Coal. 

.  .Founder. 
.  .Clolhing. 
Contractor. 
,  Coin'n,  etc. 
. . .  .Com'n. 


^         ^^■/■' Picture  Franio.s. 

„  iV Piilierliunnrin'r.H. 

ti  , iMirnituro. 

\l •'•  • ; Ciirpent.M-  !ui(l  ]?ui]der. 

" '^-  ^  *-'<> NVii;r,,„,iikrs'  Miite- 

■,, ,,  rial.-^. 

'^         y' Fiini't;:  Coods,  etc. 

i,  ''. lioi)k.4  iind  Motions. 

< {' Co. 

fi — V'\ """"•■•• 

; ;\'-  '^ -Mnfr.Soap. 

y, —  '•" Hotel. 

J; — •;. ciotiiinjr. 

;. ,,  *' Clothin.'. 

,S -y'-f;  ^'•<' MiUinen 

1) t  H "^''• 

n ".    ..  Liquorn. 

t"i 15.  and  S. 

yZZv      U:uwsi>. 

f, Vu^ »evv..;ier. 

! '\  ^— Tiiilois. 

<> C Co. 

rlll  P  *  " Civl'inetinkr.s. 

/j  i^, Furniture. 

il V";; I/nneliiln. 

f} 'I  1^ Millinery  and  F'ey  (i.    ' 

{|  ■\ Painter,* etc.    ' 

H A Car,H.nter.    , 

H &  «— -     Hats,  F'ng  Goods,  etc.   j 

:{'  ' &  I Co.  I 

[ •'.•;. • Tfotel.    ; 

,'         ^)  '• Furnitun-.    ; 

J' V,:  •^'-  •  •  •^'•''"•'■i-  ii'nd"  W'Yk')]'.'  l!i,','.' 

^ .^-^TT-^^'" l'n.,1. 

1^ ^'  ^ Phvsieian.    i 

^ -J tiro.,  etc. 


!  } ', D.(i. 

I  ''  '* Hutchor  and  (iro. 

!  ^J        ■  •'••■■■ Contractor. 

i  ^  •'•.  -Ir-  •  •  •  Fruit  and  Veo-ctuble.s. 

;  l\ J-  J-  &  <^''> (iro.,  vU:. 

:  ?         [,■ "i-o-.  <tc. 

1  ■; '^I Clothing' 

A A. -lACo Tail<M>. 

•^I II (is 

^} H<J ■■.■.■.■.■.Drn^: 

:^— I 13-vvr. 

;  l\ — ,   Il.tei. 

:  ^ " HootHand  Siioi's, 

'x=:i-:^-i.:-,;; ^"■<•• 

i  () —  FJ.  &Co a  s 

!    , •!    '^ ...Florist.. 

;   '  ,  ■,   liiH.  A^ent. 

, ,      •'''athefand   Findin-s. 

,   ;'  '{■ (iro.  and  J),  (i. 

> ^;V^^<'" U(i.,etc. 

h f,-'^<" \Vhol.   Ei.,s. 

^,  ')•  " Contractor. 

IJ /^ Concliiniir. 

^ J'  •  • i^aker  and  Saloon. 

'^ ^Ij Piiy.sician. 

'^  '■^'  1 Euniber  and  Com'n 

-  C—  s—  ''''''■ 

~^\,  ','• Phvsieian. 

-,^^" :..(irn. 

~  ' a.  s. 

-  ;'•<«•. I),  (i.  and  Carpets. 

~  ■'•  ^^ (iro  and  I!,  und  S, 

~  J (  nrpeuter,  I'.uilder,  etc' 

j liaker,  Confec  eii' 

^■^  ■" Hall. 


T- 

\V- 
W- 
W- 
\V- 
W- 
Z— 
'A— 


[to    UK   C  JN-TIVUEU  ] 


28iJ 


TlIK   COMMEllCI  I.L   AGENCIES. 


PULXGIMKLD,   :MASS. 


A- 
A- 
H- 
B- 
B- 
«- 
H- 

n- 

15- 
(•- 
('- 
('- 
(■- 
(■ 


Ir  J 


F 

F- 

F- 

ii- 

(i- 

(i- 

II- 

II- 

II- 

II- 


.T.  F     Viiniish  Mnfr. 

.1.  ('.       !•;.  A I)(jc.skiiis 

itW liotfl. 

M —    *  ■() Sdilii  A])i)iiriitus. 

H,  \  i '() Klimr 

A.  ]j Hoots  niul  SliocH. 

H.  S Coal,  etc. 

G Ilotol. 

W,  S ('ai'pi'iitcr. 

G BiHtin^r  iMiifr. 

G.  E I'iijxT  Stock. 

II Tool  iMiilV. 

II.  M PiiptT  Wtoik. 

A.  W.  &  Co Afxts. 

C.  II.  &  t'o Miilr. 

i\:  K (iro. 

II.  xM.  iS;  Co Boxi'H,  t'tc. 

Miss  S.  ,1 BooUh,  etc. 

B.  F Builder,  etc. 

&  "SV 1),  0. 

II.  C Tol)acio. 

•  I.  X Driijj;?!. 

•C.  M.  .*c  Co Pniicr. 

•iV  B Pipes. 

&  S Gro. 

■  S Coal  Sifter. 

-&  15 Bri.lires, 

■  T Hotel. 


II .1.  A'  (  o Carriafies. 

II C.  T (iro.,  etc. 

11 \  S Furniture. 

.1 iV  B iMiruitiirc. 

J A.  II Coiifec,  etc, 

K 'I',  .Ir I'uniitiire. 

li (i.  jNl l,aiiii)S,  etc. 

L C.  M lints.  ('a|)S,  etc. 

L C.  1) .MiilV.  Caitriilire  Sliells. 

1. J.  1- '..Builder. 

M .1.  1) CariietH. 

M .\ .V  II 1).  G. 

M W.  P.  ^  I'o Shoes. 

M A Contractor. 

M tS:  F Curriers,  etc. 

M A.  I).  iV'  Son Soaji. 

M I).  B.  iV  Co Tinware. 

M A.  '1' Soap,  etc. 

N Y \V Co. 

N P C Co. 

B &  B Luinher. 

S C.  II.  iV  Co  Lumber. 

S C Co. 

s —  :m —  :m — 

T C.  C Boxes. 

A' C Kirctriitvper. 

V- ■&  P Clot'liinjr. 

\\' &  E Founders. 


[to   he  CO.NTIKUEU.] 


ST.  JOIIX,  X.  13. 


A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 


J.  il-  Co Dry  Goods. 

•  Bros Foundrv. 

•  II.  T.  &  Co Bopewalk. 

■  A Com'n. 

{).  I? Musical  Inst'ts. 

T Gro.  anil  Li(|. 

V.  F..  &  Co Furniture. 

T.  li (iro.  and  Li(is. 


( ' J Sliipl)uilder. 

.1.  B Cotton  Mill. 

II.  i^  Son Fancy  G'ds.  etc. 

C Liquors. 

•iM Gro. 

■  .1 Boots  and  Shoes, 

B.   U Coju'n. 

&  C< Com'n. 


TIIK  .SV.'iTK.M   i;xroyi;i). 


!S!) 


.  .('nirinpcs. 
. .  .(iro.,  (.'ti'. 
,  .Funiiftire. 

.I'"iii'niturt'. 
•  '•iiifi'c.,  etc. 

.I'muitiin'. 
.  l-iuiijis,  etc. 

tS,  ('!l|)S,  C'tC\ 

i<li,''<'  Shells. 

,  ...Hiiil.lcr. 

.  .  .C'iir|)ctH. 

1).  (J. 

Shoe,-). 

('"iitiiictor. 
iiniui'S,  etc. 

Sdaji. 

.  .Timvari'. 
.  .youp,  etc. 


K- 
1-'- 
F- 
F- 
(i- 
JI- 
H- 
.1- 
f.- 
L- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
Af- 
M- 
.M- 


-^y- 1^ stov.v., 

"','••: I.uinlicr. 

-\:  '' Dentist. 

■'V" Cl.itl.iiiK. 

-•{•••• Ilotil. 

- .).  iV  Co, . .  .Mnfi-H.  mid  FoiiikIits. 
"  '^ Siuldli-  1111(1  lliinii'H.s. 

J'V  ^*'-  I> Huts,  Caps,  (.■tc. 

,,;•  •  •  ■ Junk,  otc. 

VtV.'V- notliinff. 

■•'•  '■  ''^<-<' Tinware. 

■  !'•  1* l)ru^'.H. 

■|^,  1 VictuulliTs. 

■{.; /•;■• "■■"• 

'  J-  ^ Sliippiiiy  uiiii  t'lini. 


.,  , Millinory. 

'^l         • 15<'"ts  and  Slioe.H. 

n-_/c:i-m:ii;vv '-i-iuors. 

sZI  }'!i";;;, siiip,-i„^.. 

S &  M On. ."and ''Flour.' 

Vv:        ^rV:; Flnu-and  Fisli. 

\V 't    u      *^''^  ■"'  ^^"''"«- 

W U-' Suit.  .'tc. 

V ,    -^ Flour. 

*  ■''■ StOVOH. 


Ito  LE  tO.NTl.NLEl).] 


^T.  JOSEPTI,  .ALU. 


.  .Liiiiilicr. 
. ,  l.uniber. 


. . .  .Boxes, 
fc'ti'otvpcr. 
.  .('lotliiiiir. 
.Founders. 


A- 
M- 
15- 
M- 
B- 
H- 
H- 
('- 
('- 
('- 
D- 
D- 

n- 

!■]- 
1-^- 
F- 
F- 

o~ 

ir- 


~i-\:;: "otei. 

-jV-^^" riotiiinir. 

-Jv '''"■ 

r,-; «'•<'. 

"  c;~7~      '' I'\)iiiiilr\-. 

:?^.5:.'.'.'.'.'.v.v.'. '^'^^ 

-f,;. -^i^-oks.' 

■•(;,' Hotel. 

',,, Liverv,  (!te. 

"  y' Factors. 

i News  Depot. 

■J^ Hlucksmiih. 

,  V Fainter. 

■^^, Hotel. 

■^•^* Tailor. 


I   H- 

!  H- 
!  H- 
K- 
J.— 
I,— 
M~ 

y\~ 

R~ 

S — 
S — 
s — 

S — 
S — 

s — 

T — 
T — 

i: — 
W— 


,'j-  y  :\ <'*iipituiist. 

"    ;-'^^" Li.,iior.s. 

~\-  '^ Hotel. 

"{"   ■ Tolnuro. 

"■'■  * Saddlery  H'waiv. 

,; Wucksiiiil)!. 

-f'l^ HotLd. 

-  iV  J (J    ^ 

"fVy Jeweln-,  He! 

"(.•  V ....Sealos. 

,  ,■  , ^'ewsjmpor. 

{vT7 l-uinlier. 

V\-  ' Feed  .Mills. 

V^T" ^*"- 

•■    y Hotel. 

'^^"••;, <-«. 

J Co. 

-&  W . Wagoiw. 


lipbnilder. 
otton  Mill. 
'  G'ds.  etc. 
.  .liiquors. 

Gro. 

and  Sliops. 
. .  .C'om'ii. 
. .  .Coin'n. 


[to   liE   LUNILSL-KU. 


li 


2SiO 


IW- 


Till:   COMMKUCIA'i   AUK.N'CIKS. 


ST.  LOTUS,  ]\I(). 


A- 
A- 
15- 
H- 

n- 
n- 

H- 

n- 

M- 
H- 
V- 

('- 
<•- 
(•- 
])- 
j)- 

D- 


y. 
V- 
(i- 
<i- 
H- 
M- 
H- 
II- 
II- 
JI- 
H- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
il- 
II- 
.1- 
.1- 


K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
K- 

L- 
L- 
M- 
M- 

M- 


-  1> HooUh,  etc. 

— -  W.   II.  it  Co NntidiiH. 

-  &  Hm HiifcH, 

-  \V.  &  Co IMiifj  Tolmccn. 

-  I{.  iV  Co Son]). 

-  \V.  S HooliH. 

-  Hros.  iV  It 'I'Dbucco. 

-  Uro.  &  Co Ilat^,  vU\ 

-  Ij.  &  Co Coiii'n, 

-J CorkH. 

-  B NuwHimiM!!'. 

-  W L Co. 

-  I.&  Co Clotliin;:. 

-  U Co 1).  (i,,(tc. 

-  U iS:  Co I),  (i. 

-\V (iio. 

-  (J Toliiicco. 

-  .1.  1).  iS:  Co (iuwIltttTH. 

-  S.  (i.  &  Co   I'oili'll. 

-  J.  II.  it  Co Iii(|iinr.H. 

-.1.15 Ales,  itc. 

-  K.  &  Co Wool.  vW. 

-  HroH (iliiss. 

-C.  II.  L Hotel. 

-  W.  II Auction,  t'to. 

-  llroH Medicines. 

-  iV  S Clotiiiiiff. 

-  It &  Co.  ..Huilwiiy  Siijipliert. 

-  fi  (J LiuiilxT. 

-  li.  W.  &  Co StovcH,  etc. 

-C &Co Books. 

-J (fro. 

-  K.  V.  &  Co UookH,  etc. 

-  &  Co ( 'lay. 

-  .T Mncliines. 

-  J  I.  .1 Tol).  and  Cig. 

_S li . 

-I{ V Co. 

&  Y Carrian;c9. 

] w . 

-H.A 'rohacco. 

-  it  13 ('li>|]iin<T. 

-  W Clothinf,'. 

-J \\'a{j;onH. 

-v..  C.  &Co Painteiu 

-J Briiwery. 

-  T Co. 

-  P.  &  Co Live  Stock. 

-  (} Boots  and  Shoes. 

-  M Co. 

-  .T Carpenter. 

-II Pictures,  etc. 


M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
()- 
O- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 

li- 
U- 
U- 
P- 
U- 

s- 

s- 
s- 


w- 
w- 


w- 
w- 
\v- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 

Y- 

z— 


-  it  ]M n.isfitterH, 

-  Rit  Co Jewel rv. 

.  S P Co. 

-  J Shirts,  etc. 

-  A.  W.  &Co Bankers. 

.&T Transfer. 

-  C Pictures. 

.&  U Saw  Mill, 

.1 Saloon. 

I).  M.  it  Co A-'l  linpl'tH. 

U.  C lie.staurant. 

C.  ll.it.l.  W I'lanin^'  Mill. 

(' Tol)acco. 

li Confectioner. 

() U.  K.  A{,'ent. 

T.  tt  Co 'rol)acro. 

&C Tools. 

B &  Co Fruits. 

B (iro. 

B &N Co. 

P M Co. 

W (i M Co. 

M.  &  L Clothlni,'. 

U.  V !'.  A/^'ent. 

I''.  II .  .    Tohacco. 

II.  M Broker. 

Dr.  G.  II.  it  Co Put.  Meds, 

li (i.  S. 

V Mills. 

C.  P liiquoi.s. 

F.  it  Co  Vinegar. 

B B &  T Blank- 

books. 

-  1 \V . 

-  B Jewelry,  etc. 

-  M Maltster. 

-T.  B.  it  Co Publishers. 

-J.  0 Bonks. 

-  W MnJr.  Spring,'  Bed  Bot- 

toms. 

-  (i Or^'aii.s. 

-  II Books. 

-  A Mnfr.  BrooMs. 

-  K Booki^. 

-J Ink  Mnfr. 

-F Dry  (Joods. 

-  T Iron  ituilinf^s. 

-  J.  &  Co Brewery. 

-E.  K Books. 

-&  C Plumbers. 

&  C Wines,  etc. 


[to  be  continued.] 


Tfll'    .SV.STKAr    KXI'OSKI). 


»',n 


^'l^    i'Al'L,  MINiX. 


. .  .Onsfittorti. 
.  ..  .Jowt'lry, 

.  .Sliirtfl,  etc. 
. . . .  liiiiikcrH. 
. .  .'IVniiHfiT. 
. .  .I'icturcs. 
. ,  .HllW  ^ii;I. 

Siiloon. 

A^c'l  Iiiipl'tH. 
.  licstiiiiraiit. 
Miihiiij,'  .Mill. 
. .  .'I'tibacco. 
'oiififctioncr. 
U.  Jv  Aifcnt. 
.  . .  .'I'olincro, 

Tools. 

FriiilH. 

(iro. 


Co. 
, .  .('lotliiiiij. 

..r.  Af^^ciit. 

. .  .'J'ol)iicco. 
. ..  .IJrokcr. 
.I'at.  iMcds. 

(i.  S. 

Mill.«. 

.  . .  Liquors. 
. .  Viiicjjar. 

lUank- 

books, 

Dwdry,  etc. 
.  .Maltster. 
Publiwlier.x. 

liooks. 

g  lied  IJot- 
toiii,<. 
. .  .Orgnii.s. 
. . .  .13ooks. 
r.  Krooi.is. 
....Book.-, 
.Ink  Mufr. 
)ry  (ioods. 
1  l.'ailingH. 

.  Brewery. 

. .  .Books. 
Plumbers. 
*Vines,  etc. 


A- 
A- 
JJ- 
B- 
J{- 

(;- 

D- 

j:- 
i'- 
«j- 
(j- 
(i— 
<f— 
II- 

H- 
.1 — 

K— 
K  — 
K— 
L— 


~',' •, Stoves,  ct,'. 

—  li ■  Co. 

~    !•  •  ■ C(i|,|M'rHiiiitli. 

"'    '•  "jl Iiuiij,'fH,  etc. 

~  VP    ^'"leH. 

J     M  COIUII. 

Zll'^  ^" Oro. 

Y Clot]lilli,r. 

"  '] MooiH  mill  Slides. 

~v  •,•,••/•,; 'S'i])ply  Store. 

''•;  •'■^*"' Stationery. 

"  If    P — J^pcciiliitorH. 

'•,,"•   ''   Leather,    i 

V  7 ~ lioots.  etc. 

■/Vi ''''''^^• 

■  1) iV  Co I,  ,.j, 

^*- ''^- '■^' l-''J IJats,  etc'.    ' 


L- 

L- 

I,- 

M- 

M- 

i\- 

<J- 

!   I'- 

1'- 

l{- 

|{- 

If- 

S— 

S — 

s~ 

S — 
T— 
'I'— 
V_ 
W- 


-W— T— C... 

; Books. 

"'', Tolmeco. 

■;>,•»■;• "'"■'•' 

'It-  ^'-  ^^ Notions. 

"  ;,•  •  •  • I'oriodiciils. 

■  '.'•  ^^ I>iug.s 

,^ • Book^. 

It"  — '^^^ —  ^'"• 

n  '>,~ri' •'•■ather.  otc. 

\,yy' Carpets, 

''••'-  ^  ^o i-uniber. 

[y\---. N^WH  AHt. 

V\^>'^^" Coni'a. 

-'•  *^ Livery 


[to   UK  C(J\TI.Nl-l;l).J 


SVJJA(,^USE,  X    Y 


A- 

IJ- 

15- 
!!- 
B- 

c- 

C- 
D- 
E- 
F- 
F- 

11- 


-.T.  ..VSon.« Flo,,,.,  oic. 

~  ll    ^-  • ; Siiortinif  Mat'ls. 

-  'Y" — ;  '-'o Mowing  Maeliines. 

-  »■  ^  t  f> Millinery  ({ds,  e-tc 

■  "••• , ^''^■'•"'• 

■^■^i-. a  (L.irdware.etc 

J- Salt. 

;{;  \, Saloon. 

■^ •• ('iffar.s. 

f  •  • (  ontractor,  etc. 

\y^''l' Carriages. 

i^'      Notions. 

( Boilers- 

Brewer. 


11- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
II- 
.1- 
J- 
L- 
L- 

i\r- 

M- 
M- 
M- 
X- 


~  j^ <'ro 

~  ' Saloon,  etc 

-]y"^ Oil 

~  ,'•  • C'arriajres. 

-  S.  h.  &  Co (jro 

■  )\'  --^Son-' Shoes 

.\'  B FcvCds. 

■  '•,: (*'•«,. 

■'Y^ ...Sashes,] 

■ '' Speculator. 

-  k  a H'dware. 

■;V,'; Clothing. 

-[•  ]^ (Iro, 


art  t' W 


P- 

!'- 
P- 
!•- 
It- 
It 


Tin;   COMMKKCIAL   AGEN'CIES 


A.  F.  &  ('.) Lqrs.  S- 

(i.  A.  &  Co Suit,  i  S— 

•  &  L Foiindrv.  i  S — 

M.  S I).  U.  j  W- 

■  A.  &  Uio ('lotliiiif,'.  I  W- 

•  11.  &,  Sou TruuliM.  '  \V- 


■J Plunin^Mill. 

1).  It Il'dwarc. 

&  U (.'loihiiig. 

—  v..  h Bootti  luiil  Shoes. 

-C (Jro. 

-J.  M Ladies'  Furu'y  (Jda. 


[to   liK   LClMINfliO.I 


TOLEDO,  O. 


ill 


A- 
A- 
A- 

A- 
A- 

A- 

A- 
»- 

I!- 
I5-- 
»- 


H- 

«;- 
«;- 

(!- 

<;- 
<;- 

D- 

1)- 
.)- 

F- 
F- 
<i- 
(1- 
U- 
0- 


-W.  W Jewollor. 

-A. A Hotel. 

-  D ( i  ro.  niul  Saloon. 

-  H &  W lirass. 

_  II >r Vo. 

-  S ^  S— — Sew! lite  ^r-"^- 

cliint'S. 
-J U.  S. 

-  (; Milliiicrv  and  Fey  (ids. 

-E : Malt. 

-J Ship  Timber. 

-L.  C Shoos. 

-  &  C Ins.  Af,a'iits. 

-  W.  II.  &  ('o..\Viiul.('ari).'ts,cto. 

-  ]j.  A.  &  (.'() IjUiiibcr,  etc. 

-J.  W Jowcllor. 

-C.W Comn. 

-  H.  E 'JVns  and  (V)fTiTs. 

-  (i &  Co  Com'n. 

-  J.  1) AuctioiKMT  Fey  (.ids. 

-  J.  v.  &  Son Firo  Ai)])aratns. 

-M.  S I  hits  and  Caps. 

.  S M c'„. 

-C.  E Clothini,'. 

-Dr.  D.  (J Diiiffs. 

-J (Jro. 

-&.  B Prod. 

-  M Clothint;. 

-  V.  W.  &Co M.'r.  Tailors. 

J ins.  Agent,  etc. 

Com'n. 


!I- 
K- 
Tl- 
11- 
H- 
il- 


&  W- 

P.  T Com'n. 

■  &  B Drnrra,  etc. 

■  &  W .  . .  .Sashes  and  Blinds. 

&  N Paints,  Cilass,  etc. 


11- 

K- 

K- 

K 

K- 

K- 

K- 

K- 

].- 

L- 

I.- 

L- 

L- 

L- 

M- 

M- 

isr- 

N- 
O- 
O- 
()- 
O- 
P- 
H- 
K- 
H- 
R- 
S— 
S— 

s- 
s— 
s- 


.1 Brewer.       T 


M.  W. 


.KeulEitute.      T- 


-  L.J.  II Box  F.-.ctory. 

-T.  L.  &  Co Com'n. 

-P.  W (iro. 

-  Bros It.  E.  Agents. 

-  J.  &  Co Com'n. 

-  L Saloon. 

-  C Boots  and  Shoes. 

-  F Boots  and  Shoes. 

-&C D.  (J. 

-J D.  (J.,  etc. 

-&  W .; Staves. 

-  (J   Stoneyurd. 

-I Clotliinir. 

-  F Boxes. 

-(i Uro. 

-  W.  II (;ro.,etc. 

-  &  Y . . .  .B.  it  S.  and  IL  &  C. 

-J Boots  and  Shoes. 

-  .1 Marble,  etc. 

-  ■) Teas,  etc, 

-  P Co. 

-  iV  S Lime,  etc. 

- .].  S Mill  Sn])plies. 

-  (J.  JI Sowing  Machines. 

-<1.  \V.  &Co Millers. 

-  B Harness. 

-  &  T N Works. 

J.  V Planing  Mill,  etc. 

S Boarding  House. 

&  H Fwdg  and  Com'n. 

&  Co Brewers. 

T  N.  &  Co.  .Miif'rs.  Tinware,  etc. 

J.  L •Furniture. 

J Hotel. 

J M.T.  Tailor. 

■  A.  B.  ...Ag'l  Impl'ts  and  Seeds. 
■J,  L Jewelry. 


TIJK   SVSTEM    EXPOSED. 


2U3 


i  — 

U- 
U- 
W- 


&I)- 
-  &  W- 


■  Co. 
Co. 


. .  Urower.s. 
.....Coal. 
.Tobacco. 


W- 
W- 
W- 
VV- 


■]',■■■ Builder. 

'  ^-  " Boots  and  Shoe* 

^  I*' •  •  .Waddlci-y  llanhvaro. 

11 i;  Co. , ,  .Mul'ra.  Tobacco. 


[to   1!K   continl-ed.) 


TOrvO]S^TO,  OXT. 


A 
A 
A 
H 
B 
B 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
C- 

(;- 
('_ 

C- 
C— 
D- 
l>- 
D- 
D- 
F- 

F- 

O- 

<i 

<i 

ir 


w. 

M- 


"  ^  ^° Brewer.s. 

■ ',:  ]y- Fouiiflrv. 

:[>-^<-<> Whol.   1).  {*}, 

f Miller. 

^ Shoes. 

,;-k- Saloon. 

M.^V, Iron. 

•'•'^  J-  i' Milk,  etc. 

" Flour,  Grain,  etc. 

Builder. 

„  ^,      "S^^'o i'^y  1).  a. 

~^,*-^ ll'dware. 

—  C Co. 

~i}---- Books. 

—  '^ "S^  Co I)y 

—  P.  (i.  &Co  Whol.  (Jro. 

~v- ••••;•;. F<y(;ds. 

"~  ;,rTr  *  ^" Foundry. 

"-,\V^' Citrar.s. 

~  y Blksmith. 

i'oJu Cijrars. 

-ff^,^"» Hall. 

~^-'^^<» Wine  M.TH. 


.V 


stor. 


lobhiT  Clothrf. 

I'rinlcrs'  Mtrl.s. 

.  .......  .riiiinbcr. 

. .  .Whol.  Jlillinery 
and  Straw  (ids. 

Whol.  Conffc. 

Bcstaiirant. 

Shots. 

Whol.  J),  a. 

Builder,  etc. 

Shoes. 

Hotel. 

.Hotel. 

Watches. 


L- 
L- 
L- 
li- 
L- 
L- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
O— 
O— 
1^— 
Ji- 
li— 
li— 
li— 
S — 

i  s 

I  s— 

I  S — 

!  s— 

S  — 

'I' — 
'J' — 

T — 
T — 
V — 

\v~ 

W— 

vv— 


•S- 
T- 
K. 


&L- 


(i.  S. 
<tro. 


ni'^ Drover 

—  (i.  4:  bona Nur.serr 

—  f/os Printers. 

—  V Saddler. 

~f, Prod. 

~,j,^ Patent  Hi<,rht.s. 

o  ■.'. Produce. 

—  &  II 

—  D.  E.state  of.  .'.' 

—  Mrs.  A. . . 

—  AV.  A.  &  Co. . .  . 
•— W.  &Son 

~  Y "^  *-'" r.uinber.' 

.•  •  • Lumber. 

~''-  ^ IIouHe  Ai^t. 

,   T-, Drover. 

-;;"•• Hats,  etc. 

—  }.-^  ^"» .Watche.s. 

(Jro. 

Machinist. 


D.  G. 

.Steamboat. 
■  .I>.  <i.,etc. 

D.(f. 

Coal. 


M. 

J<cl  ^^ 

'/•''' i'ium'ber' 

•  .  H., I. umber  ami  I'lanintr  Mill 

•  •  ^^ Chemical.s. 

■' Tailor. 

^''"■"^ Tavern,  (u'o.,  etc 

/' |>rov 

',\y^  ^"" 1>  <i.aml  Shoes 

/, Saddler, 

i &  Co Leather. 


1 


,,   ,{■ Gro. 

V-'\'  ^^ Mer.  Tailors. 

A  (  (J 

Mns 

A.  B.  &Co 


Prov. 

.Millinery. 
Lqr's. 


[to  bg  continued.] 


^J^ 


I' 

I 

lip 


21)1 


THE   COMMERCIAL  AGENCIES. 


TREI^TOTiT,  Is".  J. 


A- 
H- 
]i- 
|{- 
JJ- 
('- 
C^- 
D- 
D- 
F- 
1'- 
F- 
(}- 
«J- 
11- 
H- 
TI- 
II- 
J- 


-IT.  G Flouv  Mills. 

-  a Ilotol. 

-  ('.  K iMiiicy  < ioodH. 

-  y.  T Coal  iuul  Wood. 

-  A.  .1.  &  Co Ciindy. 

■  &  >J Liquors. 

-&C Hats. 

-  &  V nndortukcrH. 

-  D.  O l.ii(|U()rH,  etc. 

-  Ij. Furniture. 

-I).  P.  &Co Pork,  etc. 

-  &  Sons IJrkrs. 

-  I.  C (Jro. 

-  AV.  E H:ik(r. 

-H Co Rubber. 

-  l» .' Uro. 

-  K DlackKmith. 

-F.  M Mote'.. 

J.  T TobuccouiHt. 


T.- 
L- 

M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
N- 
P- 
P- 

n- 
u- 

s- 
s- 

T- 
'1=- 
'1'- 
']'- 
W- 


■  J Sliorn. 

■A.  If Hotel. 

-  li.  11.  &  Co Fiirnituri', 

-  &  K i)_(i_ 

-  Si  A Potfcrv. 

-  1 Mllit'r. 

-J.  W NcwKpajJcr, 

- 1) &  .\ Piibr'H. 

(J.  A Caiiitiilist. 

-  F,  &  Co t'rackcrH. 

•J.  \V (iro. 

-  .1.  A.  Sons I{(>j>('. 

n.  (} u.  s. 

A.  D H'dwaie. 

■J Boots  and  SIkm'S. 

•J Packer. 

J.  L Pli^-.siciaii. 

11 &  1} A 

-  B Carpet  Mnfr. 


[•;■()  ill;  coNTiNt'En.  | 


TROY    N.   Y. 


A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 

B- 
(;- 
C- 
V- 
C- 

c- 


-M Hotel. 

-  S.  &  Son (iro. 

-  II.  &  Cc.AgtH.  N S Co. 

-  .1 ,. . .  .F  irnituro. 

•  (>.  H, Tiiquors. 

■  P.  &  Son I'^lour  and  Gro. 

•  J.  ]j Tinware,  etc. 

■  J.  W. . .  .rndertakcr  and  lii very 

Stable. 

II.  K Hotel. 

F ll'dwarc.  Tools,  etc. 

■  &  F Wooden  Ware. 

•Mrs.  S.  A    Milliner. 

II.  &  II.  S Stoves. 

O Mnfr.  Sbirts. 


C li.  &  Do  W. .    ...  .Mnfrs.  Paper. 

Collars,  etc. 

.T.  W Comn  Mer. 

Mrs.  K Brewer. 

T.  A Hoofer. 

»Sr  Co (ho.,  etc, 

W.  S.  &Son Tailor.s. 

n.  F Books. 

F.  &  Co Gro. 

■  M Furniture. 

•W.  II.  &  L.  L Stone. 

■  .T I">rups. 

W Boots  and  Slioes. 

Ti.  D Eufiiueer. 

E J. , .  .Billiard  Saloon  and  Cirars. 


C- 

c- 

C" 
C- 

c- 

c- 

D- 
D- 
D- 

!•:- 

F- 

F- 


THE  SVSTE.M   EXPOSED. 


2Vo 


. . .  .Shoo.'--. 

Hotel. 

Fiiniitiin'. 

D.  U. 

.  .Pottfi-v. 
...Miller, 
cnv.^piijjcr. 
. .  .l'iil)r'«. 
Ciipitiilist. 
.C'ruclvcrH. 

(jil'O. 

. . . .  Hope. 

U.S. 

.  Il'dwaie. 
.11(1  Sliocei. 
.  .I'tu'kcr. 
'liy.siciaii. 


E 

V- 

F- 

F- 

F- 

F- 

F- 

(i- 

G- 

<i- 

G- 

<i- 

11- 

II- 

H- 

H 

H 

J 

J- 

.1- 

K 

K 

K 

K 

K 

]. 

L 

L 

I. 

L- 

M 

M 

M 

M- 

j\r- 

M- 
M- 
i\r- 

]\r- 

N- 


"  ^•- ("lothincr. 

•  *'•  f Clothii).,'. 

^JtTT I'lothinnr,  otc. 

,;:-;V;--, inn.  A-t. 

1.  15.  iV(  o Liquors. 

f.'' Fi«h. 

■"/•• lowellcr,  etc. 

^v! Laundrv. 

'V Bo(.t.s  and  Shoi'H. 

J'-^* Driis'.H. 

I' :• ; Cotton  Mill. 

^ '''^  -^ lewcllcr.ii,  (.f,. 

^•Y, I'>"it." 

"•  J Hiiilder. 

lol)  l'rint(;r. 

.  .If.  K.  Ojmrator. 
.<'cnt.s'  Fiirii't,''. 
•  C'lo.  iuid  Tailor. 

„     ,  Foundry. 

'■^;  ^" Shodriy  MiUcrial. 

^ IplioLstoivr. 

U  ro. 

Iii(luor.'<. 

Clotliiny. 

('lotliin;^:. 

Cloth  ior. 

Feed. 

...D.  (J. 

Viirii'tios. 

■  Hotel  and  J.ivery. 

■  r",^' l!ool.4  and  Shoe's. 

'}} 1^-  '■•  and  Notionii 

'  }, ;, Fwdjr. 

■^;^''^-   J' Fanrv  <Jood,«. 

'  .    . Mnfr.s.  Paper. 

"  V     . Hotel. 

"  ^  *  "J liro.  and  Coni'u. 

,  ••  • Carpet  Weaver. 

}}■  A Claii 

11.  E.  ci:Co Uio. 


laiiu  Agent. 
i'l-ov.,  etc. 


'1 
U 
V- 
V- 

y- 

w 
w 
w 

W- 

w- 


&  B [ng   Afrpnts. 

■;,;,; • J»"k. 

■  '•  / Inmcy  (ioods. 

•'■  \[ Publl.slier. 

1).  &.J.  W Gro.  nn.l  Liq. 

■',•  \v HouMo  Furn'g. 

;^-  •;.■ Hats  andCap.s. 

\-  ^^ Candies. 

'  Y Hoots  and  Shoe-!. 

•  •  ^' Jeweller. 

' Clothing. 

;,  •;  • Tlnwari'. 

'^'; stoves. 

'^'^" Fish,  Salt,  etc. 

,    *^^ Milliner.'-. 

^V  " Icings. 

'^''"•^ Uro.  and  J.iq. 

.I'Inniljer.sand  <ia.sfit,ters. 
.Furniture,  etc. 

•  ..  . .  .liUinher. 

•  .I'plioLstercr. 

iMiggist. 

Brewer. 

• .  .Ins.  Agents. 

•  Miifr.  Boilers. 
Clothinj.?. 

. .  .-Machinist. 
Mnfr.   Paper. 


■  "^  ^ Jioot.'j  and  Shoes. 

^.-— -&t'o Coal. 

,•  rn Piitternnikr. 

~t     *^"'^  ImpltH. 

-  K.  iV:  Sons jjoats. 

-.1.  15.  &Co Clothing, 

"/;•//•■ FaneyUoods. 

-  t  .  II.  cc  (  o. .  .Boots  and  Shoes. 

"J'  1'' Musical  Insts. 


(TO  I!i:  eO.VTINUCU.] 


TTTTO 


\  ,    !^.    Y . 


A- 
M- 
B- 
B- 
B- 
B- 


■  ^  ^!~ — l?oots  and  Shoos. 

'  '!•  ^* <fio.  and  Saloon. 

j", Builder. 

r^^\ir Brewer. 

'  •    ^^ Flnri.st. 

^^ Builder. 


Boots  and  Shoe.B. 
.Stoves.  Tin,  etc. 

Hotel. 

Mnfrs.  Caps. 

.  Whol.  Clothing. 
.  Transportation. 


'200 


TilK   COMMKUGIAL    AGEN'CIKS. 


I  ^M' 


n- 

])- 

D- 

l>- 

D- 
D- 
E- 
1- 
!•'- 

<i- 

<i- 
(i- 
II- 
II- 
II- 

II- 
II- 
J- 
J- 
J- 
J- 
J- 

K- 


-  C.  P.  &  Sons Glasfi,  olc. 

■J Gro. 

-  S Lumber  and  Planinpf  Mill. 

-11.  C Marble. 

■  J.  E. . .  .Flour,  Feed,  and  Grain. 

-  O.  &,  Co Crockery. 

-  M Co lloe.s,  etc. 

-  B.  G.  &  Co Whol.  Jewelry. 

-F.  D Uoofintr. 

-  II.  1).  &  Co Boota  and  Shoes. 

-II.  &W.  K Coal. 

-  E.  1$.  tS:  Co Mntr.s.  I'ajier. 

-  .1.  P Physician. 

-T.  J Printer. 

-  J.  B Mufr.  Boots  and  Shoes. 

-(J.  W Jeweller. 

-  &  I. Mul'rs.  Boot.s  and 

Shoes. 

-G.  T Factory. 

-A H.  E.  and  Speculator. 

J Builder. 

P Hotel. 

F &  Co Stoves,  etc. 

&  II Pipes. 

W Harness. 

-  C Drugs. 


L- 
L- 
L- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
N- 
O- 
O- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
11- 

s- 
s- 
s- 

S- 

s- 
s- 

T- 
T- 
T- 

u- 


•  E.. Ovritcrs  and  Fruit. 

•C.  A.  &Co Hotel. 

■S Hotel. 

-  &  Co Picture  FranieH. 

-  H.  C. ., Gro.  and  Pro  v. 

-  E.  C Window  Shades,  etc. 

-  &  II . .  .Whol.  Tol).  andCig. 

-  N.  C.  &  Son Paints,  etc. 

T I5oots  and  Shoes. 

■  W Miifr.  BooLs  and  Slioes. 

•  J.  Sons Wliol.  and  Ret.  Gro. 

■  &.  C Boots  and  Shoos. 

■  W.  B Tobacconist. 

-F Gro. 

■  L Builder. 

-  U.  W Printer  and  Bookb'dr. 

L Gro.  andD.G. 

J Hotel. 

A.  H.  &  Co Mnfrs.  Saws. 

N.  F Hotel. 

W.  U.  A:  Co.Mufr.s.  Spring  Beds. 
C.  F Mnfr.  B.  and  S. 

-\V.  S Jeweller. 

-&P Fdwff. 

■H.  II Paints. 

-  S E Co. 


[tj  be  continued,  I 


WASnUsTGTOlS^,  D.  C. 


A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
A- 
B- 
H- 
li- 
|{- 
iJ- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
15- 
IJ- 
C%- 
<•- 
C- 


•  J.  II Stoves  and  Tinware. 

■  L Cigars. 

■I AVatches,  etc. 

•J Paperhangiugs. 

•  A.  M Paperhangings. 

■  L Agent. 

P.  L Gro. 

J.  C Gro. 

G.  W Prod. 

■  &  S Feed  and  Lrirs. 

•J Books  and  Slat'y. 

■  A Undertaker. 

-  li.  C Drugs. 

■  B Millinery. 

■  II Li(iuor8. 

-J.  T B'ldug  Materials 

-C.  R Drugs. 

-E.  T.  &Co Lumber. 


C T.  A Books  and  Stat'ry. 

C J.  II.  &  Co Gro. 

C C Boots,  etc. 

C R.  &  Co Slices. 

C J.C Gro. 

D S.  E Ciarars. 

D L Tailor. 

D A.  W Com'n  Pajjcr. 

I) A Hats,  etc. 

D T.  G Prod. 

D E Tailor. 

E CM D.G. 

E S N Co. 

E F Cabinctmkr. 

E H.  M Tinware. 

F &  S Bldng  Materials 

II J.  C Architect. 

II U.  M.  &  Co Stoves,  etc. 


THE   SVriTEM    KXPUSKI), 


-'1>7 


crs  and  Fruit. 

lloiol. 

Hotel. 

cturo  FraineH. 
fro.  and  Pro  v. 
V  Shades,  etc. 
Tol).  and  Cig. 
.  .I'aiuts,  etc. 
Its  and  Shoes. 
)t.s  and  Slioes. 
ind  l{ct.  Qro. 
uts  and  Shoes. 
.Tobacconist. 

(iro. 

Builder. 

iiid  Bookb'dr. 
iro.  andD. G. 

Hotel. 

Mnfrs.  Saws. 

Hotel. 

Spring  Ucds. 
ifr.  B.  and  S. 
. .  .Jeweller. 

Fdwjnr. 

Paints. 


H- 
H- 
H- 
H- 
J- 
K- 
K- 
K- 
L- 
L~ 
L~ 
M- 


~^,  v: • nai^''r. 

-};•  ^ t'lothinir. 

-  i^ JewclltT. 

",':■, Whol.  Gro. 

-jl:  ^ Saddler. 

a'v, Clotliing, 

~}\,^' Drugs. 

-f  '^"> 1).  G. 

~V;''^'^|\-; r.umber. 

■  W A:  i . .  .(jents'  Furn'g. 

"^ Hotel. 


;j  ,    'I-' Restaurant. 

M  1-;  !  V. !>•<'• 

mIT  vv    I      ' Lumber. 

*,}         \\.'  *^ iXewspaper. 

S )^ PaintH,  Kc. 

^ /  sUJ_L' roundry. 

o  ,   '.I    r~ (iro, 

f;  ••',l-*<'" Clothing. 

^ — ;Vc7~ i^""'i^"'-- 

u~~     v   ,\   " Apoth.'carieH. 

^ -^ Hotel. 


[to    be   CONTIM-En.l 


WILMI^-GTOX,  DEL. 


md  Stat'ry. 

Gro. 

.  Boots,  etc. 

Shoes. 

Gro. 

. . . .  Cigars. 
....  Tailor, 
m'li  l>aj)er. 
.  .Hats,  etc. 

Prod. 

....Tailor. 
D.  G. 

abinctnikr. 
.  .Tinware. 
'  Materials. 
.Architect. 
Stoves,  etc. 


■}         J-  ^ Stoves  and  Ranycs. 

;} ;!■/, <^ro.  andProv. 

n \^'^~T •'^'"f''^- 

H R~^  ^  ^-" Builders. 

n I         ''^^^-  '^^^^^'"S  ^li>-^'hf>. 

,,  *; Paints,  etc. 

,. •',.••,; China,  etc. 

<r~T  ;■     ...Hotel,  etc. 

\  '•  ; Iron  l{ailiii!,r,s. 

], '■  {■■: Cunier. 

( .1.  A.  ct  Co Harness. 

I» S I Co. 

H—  S S W 

{J— ;':-^'' Gro. 

i* *'•* Physician. 

{;  V„" Com'n. 

\^         •  ■  i^       Boots  and  Shoe,'*. 

;\         ■'■, Boots  and  Slior,.^.  : 

tZIZr  Physician.  ' 

F— ii:n;.v.v. '"■""fi'f- 

(I       "^•, V Trimming..^. 

u ,v  L Printers. 

"  i'l Flour  and  F,..m1. 

G Mrs.  (' I)  ,. 

r,~y" ■\i.-'-: 

o-n-iVV-    ■•■■■■■     =^ 

A r-,:^-  ^  <^o Cotton  (Jd.s. 

G &  B Coachmkrs.   i 


H (\r  ki  ^  ^"^ Ma.^hini.sts. 

H-_U.M Jew.ller. 

H  .,,v I'lq.aiid  (iro. 

i    ,  rV    fT rrimmings. 

i    J~,V-j? Silverplater, 

I    "i «•  11 Leather. 

i    ,  ^  ^^' •   ■  Printers  and  Suit'rs 

i    J i- Operator. 

;  J  —  f; 1).  G. 

i"" —  \\ Picture  Frames. 

i\  ;; Clothing. 

mZI  j       t^ueenswatv. 

M^p  cv^vv :::;::::;::  ::;';?;:;: 
M — Mii^M'.'j:::;;:::;;:-Mi,ili;:;; 

^  — )i I'aint.r. 

V  {y-ri (Uvillgr.). 

o    "~o\." .•\u.tio:H.,.r. 

' f*-  "^  >^'>" Mor.Mcd. 

J:    "       ^ : Mail.!,- 

r: [', Bak.r. 

D'"  ^"  M— _  \-  G f,„,,^  ,.j,. 

S M.B.  &  Co I5„i,s,  etc. 

vv T^Vr Fl.. lists. 

v\ J.  ji.  &  Sou. . .  .Gent.s'  Furn'fr. 

y ^r        ^'^nt'^'  I'^urng. 

^ "^ Cooper. 


(Ti)  UK  rovTiNtrEi).] 


t ; 


i^ys 


THE   CUMMKHCIAL    AGENCIES. 


|!^' 


r 
I 


WORCESTER,    MASS. 


IIP 


li\: 


'  !- 


i  ;■ 


I 


A J.  C.  VV Boots  and  Shoes. 

A .1 Tdbucco. 

A W.  G.  &  Co CabiiietinkrH. 

B C.  &  Co Lumber. 

B R.  &  Co Mttchiiry. 

B H &  Co Boots. 

B &  W ird  ware. 

B W.  C Soajimkr. 

B — —  J.  J.  .  .    Fancy  Dry  Goods. 

B a'.  Mnt'r.  Slippers. 

C .J  c'   Leatlii-r  Varnish. 

C 1 F'cy  (ioods. 

C .J Gro. 

C J Brass. 

C .T   .;  <'o Gro.,  etc. 

C (f   H Paints. 

C W.S Wool. 

C C.&J.A Fndrv. 

E B Gro. 

E D.  H.  &  Co Clothing. 

E H.  W Carpenter. 

F A Clothing,  etc. 

G G Hats,  etc. 

H J Gro. 

H C.  C  Mnfr.  Paper  Bags. 

H VV.  P Crockery,  etc. 

L J Boots,  etc. 


L- 
M- 
M- 
M- 
N- 
P- 
V- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
P- 
I'- 
S- 
S- 


S- 

'J- 
r- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 
w- 


V.  A Gro.,  etc, 

-P Gro. 

-  O 11 Co. 

-  E.  A.  &Co Shoes 

-  S Co. 

F.  II Dry  Goods. 

P Siitincts. 

&  C Stoves. 

]' Co. 

D.  \V Tools. 

L.  W Tools. 

O.  N.&Co Agts. 

iV  Br<i Cards,  etc. 

D.  &  Co Apothecaries. 

T.  S.  Sons Boots  and  S. 

J.  C Boot  Mnfr. 

-C.  A Fey  Gds. 

-  S \V 

-W Boots  and  S. 

-  E.  B (.'ontractor. 

-  P &  Co Clothing. 

-  G.  W Brewery. 

-  &  Co Baker.s. 

-  &  L G &  P Co. 

-  T Rubber  Goods. 

-S.  J.  &Co Dry  Gds. 

-  M S Co. 


[to  be  continued.] 


. .  .Oro.,  etc. 
Gro. 

Shoes 

.Dry  Goods. 

. .  ..Siitincts. 
Stoves. 

Tools. 

Tools. 

-'^yts. 

.  .CiirdH,  etc. 
ipotliecaries. 
Boots  and  8. 
.Boot  Mnfr. 
..Fey  Gds. 

Boots  and  S. 
.Contractor. 
. .  .Clothing. 
. .  .Brewery. 
. . .   BakerH. 

Co. 

bber  Goods. 
. .  Dry  Gds. 


